High-speed rail (HSR
Taiwan High Speed Rail
Taiwan High Speed Rail is a high-speed rail line that runs approximately 350 km, along the west coast of Taiwan, from the capital Taipei to the southern city of Kaohsiung. With construction and operations managed by a private company, Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation, which also operate…
How much would high speed rail actually cost?
The cost per mile of the planned 520-mile California high-speed rail system, assuming it could actually be built for the current estimate of $80 billion, is $154 million per mile. And Amtrak’s own estimates for replacing its existing Northeast Corridor with true high-speed rail work out to over $500 million per mile.
What is the best high speed train?
Product Types in the Bullet Train or High-Speed Rail market:
- 200299 Km/H
- 300399 Km/H
- Above 400 Km/H
Why does the US have no high speed rail?
The United States does not need an expensive new infrastructure system that will take decades to build, carry relatively few passengers, and provide no improvements to freight service. April 20, 2021 • Policy Analysis No. 915 By Randal O’Toole Share
What is the fastest high speed rail?
and foreign HSR developments:
- the lower population density of U.S. ...
- stronger property rights in the United States compared to other countries, which make it difficult for governments to purchase land for new railroads;
- America’s car culture and emphasis on driving (total automotive marketing spending in the United States is about $35 billion per year and climbing);
How does a high speed rail work?
Unlike conventional trains that use wheels, the Maglev is based on magnetic levitation. Electromagnets levitate the train a short distance just above the tracks. These magnets also create the thrust that moves the train.
What is high speed rail used for?
High-speed rail combines high-performance trains and high-speed lines to slash travel times in half. High-speed rail should be a part of a larger network of trains, buses and other modes that all work together. With easy and reliable travel connections, more people are drawn to the network.
Where is High Speed Rail used?
California high-speed rail will connect San Francisco to Los Angeles, extending to Sacramento and San Diego, totalling 1,287km.
Why the US has no high speed rail?
The United States has no such corridors. High‐speed rail is an obsolete technology because it requires expensive and dedicated infrastructure that will serve no purpose other than moving passengers who could more economically travel by highway or air.
Which country has the most high-speed rail?
ChinaWith 37,900 kilometers of lines, China has the world's largest network of high-speed railways.
How many countries have high-speed rail?
Countries that have high speed rail are Austria, Belgium, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Poland, Portugal, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Turkey, and United Kingdom.
Who invented high-speed rail?
Alexander C. Miller had greater ambitions. In 1906, he launched the Chicago-New York Electric Air Line Railroad project to reduce the running time between the two big cities to ten hours by using electric 160 km/h (99 mph) locomotives.
Is high-speed rail environmentally friendly?
High-Speed Trains Provide Environmental, Social Benefits, Study Says. Bullet trains fuel real-estate booms, improve quality of life, reduce air pollution and traffic congestion, and provide a “safety valve” for crowded cities, especially in the developing world, according to a study by Chinese and U.S. economists.
Why is high-speed rail so expensive?
High costs are almost synonymous with rail projects in the U.S., especially in the California region. That's because costs around healthcare and pensions are incorporated into the direct capital cost of a project, according to the Eno Center report.
Will America ever get high-speed rail?
As of 2020, the California High-Speed Rail Authority is working on the California High-Speed Rail project and construction is under way on sections traversing the Central Valley. The Central Valley section is planned to open in 2029 and Phase I is planned for completion in 2033.
How long would it take a bullet train to cross the US?
A high-speed train traveling at about 375 mph—the top speed of Japan's experimental maglev train—could make a nonstop trip in as little as six and a half hours, compared to the current 52-hour trip on a conventional train. (A nonstop flight from Chicago to San Francisco takes about four and a half hours.)
Are high-speed trains better than planes?
With high-speed rail, train travel is always faster than driving. In many cases, it's even faster than flying, once you factor in the whole air travel song-and-dance. And if you do need to catch a plane, trains make it easier to get to the airport.
How does high-speed rail help the environment?
High-Speed Trains Provide Environmental, Social Benefits, Study Says. Bullet trains fuel real-estate booms, improve quality of life, reduce air pollution and traffic congestion, and provide a “safety valve” for crowded cities, especially in the developing world, according to a study by Chinese and U.S. economists.
Why should the US invest in high-speed rail?
High-speed rail networks also reduce operating costs, accidents, highway congestion and greenhouse gas emissions as some air and auto travelers switch to rail. As poverty rises in U.S. suburbs, high-speed rail could provide a means, especially when connected with local light rail systems, to access jobs and wealth.
Do Americans want high-speed rail?
Americans really want high-speed rail. According to a new survey from the American Public Transportation Association, 62 percent of the 24,711 adults surveyed said they would "probably or definitely" use high-speed rail if it were an option.
What is the difference between a high-speed train and normal train?
High-speed trains are a lot like regular trains, with steel wheels traveling over steel rails, but they use dedicated high-speed tracks and specialized train equipment to go really fast. Today's fastest trains regularly travel at 220 mph. (A French test train reached 357 mph, the current record.)
What is high speed rail?
It can be loosely defined as trains operating at speeds of at least 125 mph, with the fastest modern trains reaching speeds of about 220 mph. HSR is also defined by dedicated tracks and separated grade crossings, which dramatically reduce delays. And HSR is almost always part of a network ...
Why are high speed trains important?
Because they use the same basic technology trains have used for more than 200 years, high-speed trains can take advantage of our existing railroad network. Just as a car journey starts on a regular road then moves to an interstate highway, high-speed trains can travel seamlessly over both new high-speed tracks and slower tracks shared with freight trains.
What is HSR in transportation?
And HSR is almost always part of a network of conventional and commuter trains, as well as transit systems. When all of these pieces are tightly coordinated and working in harmony, HSR creates a paradigm shift in travel options. High-speed rail is a proven technology, with operating networks in over 20 countries.
How many countries use high speed rail?
High-speed rail is a proven technology, with operating networks in over 20 countries. We can draw upon those experiences to build networks that meet our needs.
Why do we need a big plan for high speed rail?
High-speed rail is a big undertaking, so we need a big plan to coordinate multiple projects and ensure that we’re getting the biggest bang for our buck. Many states have some kind of passenger rail plan, at least in theory. But it’s typically just a wish list of projects.
Why are trains important?
Modern trains that perform well on each type of track are crucial to a well-oiled high-speed network. The right trains make “unified service” possible, where high-speed express trains share conventional tracks with local passenger trains and freight trains for portions of their trips. Unified service makes the system as efficient and passenger-friendly as possible by reducing the need for people to change trains.
When was the high speed rail invented?
High-speed rail development began in Germany in 1899 when the Prussian state railway joined with ten electrical and engineering firms and electrified 72 km (45 mi) of military owned railway between Marienfelde and Zossen. The line used three-phase current at 10 kilovolts and 45 Hz.
Which country has the largest high speed rail network?
China has the largest network of high-speed railways in the world and in 2018 it encompassed 27,000 kilometres (17,000 miles) of high-speed rail or 60% of the world's total. The HSR building boom continues with the HSR network set to reach 38,000 km (24,000 mi) in 2025. It is also the world's busiest with an annual ridership of over 1.44 billion in 2016 and 2.01 billion in 2018, more than 60% of total passenger rail volume. By the end of 2018, cumulative passengers delivered by high speed railway trains was reported to be over 9 billion. According to Railway Gazette International, select trains between Beijing South to Nanjing South on the Beijing–Shanghai high-speed railway have the fastest average operating speed in the world at 317.7 km/h (197.4 mph) as of July 2019#N#[update]#N#.
What is the name of the high speed rail line in Japan?
The Tōkaidō Shinkansen high-speed line in Japan, with Mount Fuji in the background. The Tokaido Shinkansen, which connects the cities of Tokyo and Osaka, was the world's first high-speed rail line. High-speed rail ( HSR) is a type of rail transport that runs significantly faster than traditional rail traffic, using an integrated system ...
How fast is the Taiwan High Speed Rail?
Taiwan High Speed Rail 's first and only HSR line opened for service on 5 January 2007, using Japanese trains with a top speed of 300 km/h (190 mph). The service traverses 345 km (214 mi) from Nangang to Zuoying in as little as 105 minutes.
How fast is the Intercity 125?
In 1976, British Rail introduced a high-speed service able to reach 201 km/h (125 mph) using the InterCity 125 diesel-electric train sets under the brand name of High Speed Train (HST). It was the fastest diesel-powered train in regular service and it improved upon its 160 km/h (100 mph) forerunners in speed and acceleration. As of 2019 it is still the fastest diesel-powered train regular service. The train was as a reversible multi-car set having driving power-cars at both ends and a fixed formation of passenger cars between them. Journey times were reduced by an hour for example on the East Coast Main Line, and passenger numbers increased.. As of 2019 many of these trains are still in service, private operators have often preferred to rebuild the units with new engines rather than replace them.
What was the first form of land transportation?
Railways were the first form of rapid land transportation and had an effective monopoly on long-distance passenger traffic until the development of the motor car and airliners in the early-mid 20th century. Speed had always been an important factor for railroads and they constantly tried to achieve higher speeds and decrease journey times. Rail transportation in the late 19th century was not much slower than non-high-speed trains today, and many railroads regularly operated relatively fast express trains which averaged speeds of around 100 km/h (62 mph).
How many miles of rail did China build?
China had built over 37,900 kilometres (23,500 mi) of high-speed rail as of December 2020, accounting for more than two-thirds of the world's total. High-speed rail is the fastest ground-based commercial transportation.
How much did the California High Speed Rail increase cost in 2009?
In 2009, that estimate jumped to $42.6 billion. The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) reported that about 80% of the 9-billion dollar increase could be chalked up to inflationary costs. Advertisement. Fast forward to 2011. The estimated cost had jumped to $65.4-billion.
How many jobs will the rail system create?
Construction of the rail is expected to generate up to 100,000 construction-related jobs for every year the system is being built, and as many as 450,000 permanent jobs once the rail is completed.
What technology would run on a maglev train?
Rail: The system will run on modern steel-wheel-on-steel-rail technology . A maglev system — which would have relied on magnetic levitation to lift, guide and power train cars — was proposed early on, but later abandoned due largely to the fact that maglev technology would not be able to play nice with existing rail infrastructure.
How much did the rail system cost in 2009?
In 2009, that estimate jumped to $42.6 billion. The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) reported that about 80% of the 9-billion dollar increase could be chalked up to inflationary costs.
How fast can a train go?
That means electrically-powered trains capable of achieving commercial speeds of up to 220 miles per hour. That's as fast or faster than all but a small number of trains worldwide.
How far is the California subway system?
California: The system will run from San Francisco to Los Angeles (eventually expanding to serve Sacramento and San Diego, as well), making stops at various cities in between, including San Jose, Fresno, Bakersfield and Palmdale. The SF—LA leg will span a distance of 432 miles, but the entire proposed system would likely be upwards of 800 miles long. California's a big, long state; if this thing gets built, it'll be the largest public infrastructure project in the country, hands down.
When was the Pacific Railway Act passed?
Remember, she adds, "Congress passed the Pacific Railway Act in 1862, the second year of the Civil War. How's that for timing?"
When was the HSR introduced?
The first HSR in Japan i.e. Tokaido Shinkansen began operational in 1964 between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka. Conventional ballasted track structure was adopted in Tokaido Shinkansen. Track geometry of conventional ballasted tracks used to disturb frequently with the increase in traffic density. Due to problem of disturbance of track geometry coupled ...
What is frame type track slab?
Frame type track slab has a hollow portion in slab in contrast to solid track slab. The redundant central portion of the latter is removed, thus saving the extra cost involved in concrete, reinforcement and CA mortar. This has an extra advantage of less wrapping effect of concrete and easier handling due to lighter structure.
How to compare ballasted track and slab track?
It can be inferred that flexural stiffness of Slab Track is considerably higher compared to ballasted track therefore Slab Track structure deflects considerably less than the ballasted track structure. The stress level in the subsoil of ballasted track is much higher, hence the track geometry of ballasted track gets deteriorated frequently. In case of Slab Track the track deformations are smoother by distributing the loads to a larger area. On the other side, the ballasted track deformation is sharper near the point where load is located and almost un-deformed at the areas far from load. This is due to significantly lower stiffness of the ballasted track bed which is unable to distribute the forces in larger area.
Why is ballasted track deformation sharper?
This is due to significantly lower stiffness of the ballasted track bed which is unable to distribute the forces in larger area.
What is a slab track?
Slab Track structure is a unique feature of Japanese High Speed Railway, popularly known as Shinkansen. Slab Track was invented and has evolved in Japan and now the term is synonymous with High Speed Track. The first HSR in Japan i.e. Tokaido Shinkansen began operational in 1964 between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka.
How is a slab track made?
Over the roadbed concrete, either on viaduct or in tunnel, track bed concrete of about 300 mm and circular concrete dowel/ anchors of diameter 520 mm and height 250 mm are casted at regular interval of 5 meters. Over the track bed concrete, the track slab is laid and a gap of about 50 mm is created between them which is filled by pouring Cement Asphalt mortar in especially designed synthetic bags. CA mortar is a buffer material for Slab Track which provides resilience to the whole structure. The Concrete Anchors prevent Slab Track from moving either in the longitudinal or in transverse direction. The RC slabs for Slab Tracks are produced in a factory. The track slab is 2200 mm wide, 4900 mm long and 190 mm thick. One track slab weighs around 3.9 tons. The production cycle of a track slab is about 24 hours as explained in figure-2. This is followed by 7 days of water curing. After this the track slab is ready for installation.
Which is better, ballasted or slab track?
Performance of Slab Track is better for High Speed Railway compared to ballasted track due to its higher flexural stiffness and it is because of this that the forces in Slab Track are distributed over a larger area and deflections are considerably less compared to ballasted track. This ultimately results in lesser maintenance requirement in Slab Track structure.
Overview
High-speed rail (HSR) is a type of rail system that runs significantly faster than traditional rail, using an integrated system of specialised rolling stock and dedicated tracks. While there is no single standard that applies worldwide, lines built to handle speeds above 250 km/h (155 mph) or upgraded lines in excess of 200 km/h (124 mph) are widely considered to be high-speed. The first high-spe…
Definitions
Multiple definitions for high-speed rail are in use worldwide.
The European Union Directive 96/48/EC, Annex 1 (see also Trans-European high-speed rail network) defines high-speed rail in terms of:
Infrastructure track built specially for high-speed travel or specially upgraded for high-speed travel. Minimum speed limit Minimum speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) on lines specially built for h…
History
Railways were the first form of rapid land transportation and had an effective monopoly on long-distance passenger traffic until the development of the motor car and airliners in the early-mid 20th century. Speed had always been an important factor for railroads and they constantly tried to achieve higher speeds and decrease journey times. Rail transportation in the late 19th century was no…
Network
Continuous welded rail is generally used to reduce track vibrations and misalignment. Almost all high-speed lines are electrically driven via overhead lines, have in-cab signalling, and use advanced switches using very low entry and frog angles.
The road-rail parallel layout uses land beside highways for railway lines. Exam…
Freight high-speed rail
All high-speed trains have been designed to carry passengers only. There are very few high-speed freight services in the world; they all use trains that were originally designed to carry passengers.
During the planning of the Tokaido Shinkansen, the Japanese National Railways were planning for freight services along the route. This plan was later discarded.
The French TGV La Poste was for a long time the sole very high-speed train service, transporting …
Rolling stock
Key technologies include tilting trainsets, aerodynamic designs (to reduce drag, lift, and noise), air brakes, regenerative braking, engine technology and dynamic weight shifting.
Comparison with other modes of transport
While commercial high-speed trains have lower maximum speeds than jet aircraft, they offer shorter total trip times than air travel for short distances. They typically connect city centre rail stations to each other, while air transport connects airports that are typically farther from city centres.
High-speed rail (HSR) is best suited for journeys of 1 to 4½ hours (about 150–900 km or 93–55…
Accidents
In general, travel by high-speed rail has been demonstrated to be remarkably safe. The first high-speed rail network, the Japanese Shinkansen has not had any fatal accidents involving passengers since it began operating in 1964.
Notable major accidents involving high-speed trains include the following.
In 1998, after over thirty years of high-speed rail operations worldwide without fatal accidents, th…