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What is High-Speed Rail?

Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov

High-speed rail refers to trains that travel on special tracks at over 200 km/h (125 mph). The International Union of railways describes a high-speed train as one that travels faster than 250 km/h (155 mph) on dedicated tracks, or 200 km/h on upgraded conventional tracks. High-speed trains are used most widely in Japan and France, but China and the United States each have one and are considering further adoption. Other countries with high-speed trains include Belgium, Germany, Italy, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. The world's first high-speed train was the Tōkaidō Shinkansen, launched in October 1964, which traveled between Tokyo and Osaka in Japan.

The latest research into high-speed rail involves using maglev tracks, where magnets are carefully arranged to allow the train to actually float above the tracks. This is relatively expensive, but greatly lowers friction and increases possible top speed. The Japanese maglev train, JR-Maglev MLX01, reached 361 mph (580.9 kph) in 2003, setting the record for fastest train. The record for conventional rail trains was set by the French TGV, train a grande vitesse, which reached 357.2 mph (574.8 kph) on 3 April 2007.

High-speed trains usually have aerodynamic locomotive hoods.
High-speed trains usually have aerodynamic locomotive hoods.

High-speed trains are an effective form of transportation in areas where population density is high and distances are long but not too long. This explains their adoption in France and Japan. The longer preparation times associated with going to the airport, getting past security, boarding, taxiing and takeoff, make high-speed trains an appealing alternative to air travel under certain circumstances. Proposals have been put forth for high-speed train development between Boston, New York, and Washington, D.C., on the East Coast and between San Francisco and Sacramento in California.

South Korea has a high-speed rail system.
South Korea has a high-speed rail system.

Some advantages of high-speed trains over air travel are greater capacity, less fuel expenditure, lower cost, less pollution, and better security. As a rule of thumb, it is considered that high-speed trains beat aircraft on convenience for trips under 3 hours. For a high-speed train traveling at 300 kph (186 mph) or 400 kph (249 mph), this can extend to significant distances. The capital cost of investing in a new high-speed rail system and building the dedicated tracks makes investors wary of such proposals, an issue also seen in nuclear power.

Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov

Michael is a longtime AllTheScience contributor who specializes in topics relating to paleontology, physics, biology, astronomy, chemistry, and futurism. In addition to being an avid blogger, Michael is particularly passionate about stem cell research, regenerative medicine, and life extension therapies. He has also worked for the Methuselah Foundation, the Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence, and the Lifeboat Foundation.

Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov

Michael is a longtime AllTheScience contributor who specializes in topics relating to paleontology, physics, biology, astronomy, chemistry, and futurism. In addition to being an avid blogger, Michael is particularly passionate about stem cell research, regenerative medicine, and life extension therapies. He has also worked for the Methuselah Foundation, the Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence, and the Lifeboat Foundation.

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    • High-speed trains usually have aerodynamic locomotive hoods.
      By: ortodoxfoto
      High-speed trains usually have aerodynamic locomotive hoods.
    • South Korea has a high-speed rail system.
      By: SeanPavonePhoto
      South Korea has a high-speed rail system.
    • Bullet trains connect Tokyo to other major cities in Japan.
      By: shirophoto
      Bullet trains connect Tokyo to other major cities in Japan.
    • High-speed Eurorail service extends into Belgium.
      By: juan35mm
      High-speed Eurorail service extends into Belgium.
    • High-speed rail technology enables travel at speeds over 125 miles per hour.
      By: metlion
      High-speed rail technology enables travel at speeds over 125 miles per hour.
    • An acronym for Train à Grande Vitesse, meaning “Train of Great Speed,” the TGV is a high-speed rail service operating in France.
      By: benkenogy
      An acronym for Train à Grande Vitesse, meaning “Train of Great Speed,” the TGV is a high-speed rail service operating in France.