Title: Fastech 360 Prototypes Probe Ultra High Speed Territory
Abstract: Testing continues on a prototype high-speed train representing the next generation of train for East Japan Railway (JR East’s)’s Shinkansen network. JR East has been working for several years to raise the maximum speed for operations. The Fastech 360 trainset is the result and has been shown capable of traveling 400 km/hr in an experimental, eight-car configuration. JR East is hoping to use faster trains to continue to make in-roads into the airlines’ share of passengers in its region. Already, it enjoys around 67 percent of the total passenger market between Tokyo and the Aomori region. The goal is to reduce the time to travel from Tokyo to Aomori to below three hours, which will mean a jump of maximum speed from the current 275 km/hr to 360 km/hr. The 400 km/hr tests are part of this development. Linked to any speed increase are changes in the entire network operations, including design of vehicles and track, power supply, signaling and telecommunications, as well as other aspects. Environmental and safety concerns also must be addressed. The article includes tables and illustrations of various aspects of the project.
Publication Year: 2005
Publication Date: 2005-11-01
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 1
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