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The Shinkansen High Speed Rail Network

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The French TGV - Eurostar


TGV Atlantique


Maglev, Shanghai 2003


Chapter 3 - Applications (PowerPoint)

High Speed Trains

Author : Dr. Claude Comtois and Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue

1. Existing High Speed Networks

High speed trains refer to passenger rail systems running at operational speed between 200 and 300 km/h. They have been developed in Japan, France, Germany, Spain and South Korea. Another high speed system in Taiwan, linking Taipei to Kaohsiung, is scheduled to be completed in 2006. The high speed train passenger system era truly originates from Japan with the Tokaido line, bridging Tokyo and Osaka, which began in 1964 with the Tokyo Olympics. Today, this transport mode is perceived as an efficient alternative to highway and airport congestion. Evidence underline that travel time are cut in about a half when a high speed service begins. High speed trains currently function under two discrete technologies.

The setting of high speed train networks consequently must take into consideration the following constraints:

2. New Technologies

In addition to present technologies, an entirely new technological paradigm has been under development in Japan and Germany since the late 1970s. The new technology is known as Maglev (Magnetic Levitation); it utilizes magnetic forces to uplift trains, guide them laterally and to propel them, relying upon highly efficient electromagnetic systems. The first commercial maglev rail system was inaugurated in Shanghai in 2003. Maglev systems have experienced some constraints on widespread commercialization, however, such as difficulties with integration in established rail corridors and perceptions of high construction costs.

Copyright © 1998-2008, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Economics & Geography, Hofstra University. For personal or classroom use ONLY. This material (including graphics) is not public domain and cannot be published, in whole or in part, in ANY form (printed or electronic) and on any media without consent. Permission MUST be requested prior to use.

12/30/07