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Japan has pretty much been at the forefront of highspeed train technology since highspeed train technology began existing. And thought it's a bit of a surprise that they don't hold the current train speed record, I never doubt that they've got new train technology around the corner.
So I'm not surprised that Kawasaki Heavy Industries just announced that they'll be building a new rail line in Japan that will be faster than the previous record holder, the Shikansen.
The new train has a rather lame name "the Environmentally Friendly Super Express Train" but maybe it sounds cooler in Japanese. That is a pretty accurate assessment though. The train's top speed will be around 217 miles per hour, achieving that speed with less fuel through use of aerodynamics and light-weight materials. Plus, a regenerative braking system will capture kinetic energy in batteries for later use.
Japan has always had a great rail system, but with 10,000 new miles of track planned for the next 20 years, and these new high-speed trains, it seems they'll just be getting better.
Via Inhabitat
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written by Rob Chant, September 19, 2008
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written by EcoModder, September 19, 2008
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As Hockeyfan says, such fast trains could replace some airline routes. Okay, the trains don't travel as fast as a plans - not far of half the speed, but still 'very' slow in comparison. That said, it's a train. Usually train stations are easier to reach than airports; there isn't all the waiting about and faff that's involved in air travel; nervous flyers would have a real alternative; but most importantly, that reduced speed isn't such a problem when you're talking about short flights, especially as a train can probably - I'm no engineer! - accelerate to and deccelerate from top speed much quciker and easier than a plane can. All this means that to travel on short routes it may be as quick to go by train as by plane. Great news.
I've actually been on Shanghai's high-speed train, the Maglev. That hits speeds of over 400kmh. It's a surprisingly quiet and smooth ride. And fun too - there's a digital readout in each carriage that shows the current speed. People take photos of it. Even applaud when it hits the top speed.
Yes, if this was rolled out globally, it could be of tremendous benefit in our fight for the environment.
Steve N. Lee
author of eco-blog http://www.lionsledbysheep.com
and suspense thriller 'What if...?'