High Speed Rail Information Paper
Content
Michal Zablocki CEE 310 Replacement Paper 4-22-2013 High Speed Rail
Since the beginning of time, humans have been migrating all over the world for various reasons. Nomadic people traveled hundreds of miles in order to feed their livestock and cultivate crops. Explorers sailed the oceans and traveled on undiscovered paths looking for new lands and precious resources. Even today, millions of miles are driven, flown and floated in order to carry cargo and people all over the world. Planes, trains and trucks can be encountered every day, emphasizing the importance of these contraptions and how much people truly rely on them. Trains specifically, are an especially important part of the transport infrastructure in the world. This seemingly ancient, however constantly evolving mode of transport, is the key to making travel more convenient and affordable. Trains have been used as early as 1550 in Germany. During the 16th century, roads of rails called „wagonways‟ consisted of “primitive railed roads consisted of wooden rails over which horse -drawn wagons or carts moved with greater ease than over dirt roads” (1). Even its most primitive stage, people were realizing that the railways allowed for a much smoother ride along with a smaller friction force acting on the wheel due to the smooth contact surface. The smaller friction force made it easier for the engine, in this case the horses, to expend less energy. By 1776, the wood used in the rails was being replaced by iron, which allowed tramways to replace wagon ways, rapidly expanding and spreading through Europe. In 1789, “Englishman, William Jessup designed the first wagons with flanged wheels. The flange was a groove that allowed the wheels to better grip the rail, this was an important design that carried over to later locomotives” (1). The train and railroad infrastructure was revolutionized by the invention of the steam engine. Samuel Homfray made the decision and carried out the planning of funding the development of the first steam-powered locomotive. On February 22, 1804, the locomotive, built by Richard Trevithick, “hauled a load of 10 tons of iron, 70 men and five extra wagons […] 9 miles” (1). From then on more inventors began modernizing the steam-powered locomotive and spreading the technology all over the world, eventually leading to the creating of the modern-day marvel known as a high-speed train. Eventually, steam-powered train engines turned into electricity-powered engines. The evolution of these trains brings us to today where maglev trains, which stands for magnetic levitation, are extremely prominent in Europe and Asia and are becoming increasing popular in the United States of America. These trains are also commonly known as high speed rail trains. Magnetic levitation is “a process by which a magnet moving over a piece of metal causes electrical currents to flow in the metal that, in turn, produce forces that push the magnet upward” (2). As soon as the force created by the magnetic is sufficiently large enough, the magnets begin to float. There are many advantages to a maglev train, and they are significantly superior to regular steel on steel trains. Due to its floating nature, the train‟s base does not come into contact with the rails. The maglev system also eliminates the need for any moving parts such as wheels, axles or stabilizing rods. Because there are no moving parts and in general there is less wear and tear on the mechanical components of the trains, the trains require significantly less maintenance than regular trains (2). Maglev trains also improve the comfort of the train ride. Due to the fact that there are no parts of the train touching the metal track, such as steel wheels contacting the steel tracks, the noise level are significantly reduced. Simple physics shows that the only noise being produced is that of air resistance that the train produces while traveling at its high speeds. Another significant advantage of high speed trains over typical diesel trains is that high speed trains can travel at much higher velocities than the regular diesel or even electric trains. Because of the decrease in contact friction, much less energy is needed to propel the train forward. Some trains can even achiever velocities up to 300 miles per hour, or 500 kilometer per hour. There are also a few environmental advantages to high speed rail trains. Due to the fact that these trains run on electricity, they do not burn any type of fossil fuel while functioning and thus do not emit any carbon dioxide. These high speed trains not only emit little to no
carbon dioxide, they are also quieter and more energy efficient than any other commercial mode of transport. Additionally, they are ideal for urban and residential areas due to the infrastructure‟s minimalistic footprint (2). It is easy to see why the high speed rail trains that implement maglev technology are such an attractive mode of transport not only for commuters, but also travelers and cities in general. This is why these trains are implemented all over the world and its infrastructure is constantly expanding to new countries and continents. The entire European continent has always relied on trains as an important mode of transport. Trolleys and subways systems in cities along with long distance trains between countries are utilized by millions of people every year. Bob Taylor from the Washington Times states that “Europe‟s modern high speed rail networks have forever changed the way travelers visit the continent” (3). Taylor also implies that the high speed rail in Europe also makes traveling a more pleasant and memorable experience when he write that “thanks to modern rail technology, traveling by train through Europe has recaptured the romance of travel that existed in a bygone era. Once again the simple act of coming from and going to is a pleasure to be enjoyed with contemporary comfort and efficiency” (3). The world first saw the high speed trains during the Tokyo Olympic Games in 1964. After the Games ended, everyone was amazed by the Shinkansen, or “bullet train” in Japanese (3). As populations in European cities increased and gasoline prices sky-rocketed, “countries like France and Germany quickly began developing high speed rail services of their own [and currently] France takes national pride as a leader in conventional rail technology, establishing a world record speed of 357.2 miles per hour in April of 2007” (3). Although most of the trains do not reach speeds anywhere near the 357.2 miles per hour the French were able to achieve, most operate around the 186 mile per hour mark, and some, such as the French TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) travels around 200 miles per hour (3). Many larger European countries have been able to construct and implement a dedicated track system for their high speed rail trains which produce high rates of speeds, while smaller countries with less revenue developed tilting trains which are not as fast as the trains operated on the dedicated high speed rail systems, but are “able to operate on existing rail lines” (3). One of the most amazing high speed rail achievements in Europe is the Chunnel, which is a high speed train that travels under the English Channel from London to Paris, making the trip in around 2 hours. Although using the train in the United States seems obsolete to some people, in Europe it is typically the first choice of anyone who travels around the continent. The high speed rail tickets may also seem expensive to some, ranging anywhere from 10 Euros all the way up to 300 Euros for a Chunnel ticket, “but when [one] consider[s] the high cost of gasoline in Europe [and] the convenience of going city-center to city-center by rail, […] a European rail pass is a bargain” (3). This emphasizes the value of the high speed rail trains in Europe, however the true birthplace of the bullet train lies in the eastern hemisphere. The true birthplace of the modern-day bullet train is Japan. As previously mentioned, Japan developed the bullet trains, known as Shinkansen, for the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games. Most modern-day trains are modeled after those designed for the Olympics. The Tokaido Shinkansen “travels between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka at a maximum speed of 270 km/h” (4). This route spans 17 stations and serves 232 trains per day, and 1,323 people per train, which comes out to approximately 391,000 passengers per day (4). On this train, tourists and native Japanese people can travel all over Japan in a miniscule amount of time. With their busy lifestyle, the Japanese people emphasize punctuality within their culture. The Tokaido Shinkansen embodies that ideology and boasts that “the average delay per train throughout the year is 0.6 minutes” (4). With this unparalleled efficiency and accessibility, it is no wonder why currently Japan is the founder and also leading innovator of the high speed rail network. High speed rail offers many social, economic and environmental benefits. This is the reason why many countries around the world have been able to implement such extensive high speed rail infrastructures. High speed rail is definitely still in the developmental stage in countries in Europe, Asia along with the United States and Canada, with all of them developing and/or expanding their very own high speed rail networks. High speed rail will keep developing and will definitely become increasingly prevalent and important all over the world.
References
(1) Bellis, Mary. "Railroad Invention and History." Railroad Invention and History. About.com, n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2013. <http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blrailroad.htm>. (2) "MagLev." Maglevnet Maglev Trains Maglev Photos Maglev Videos. Maglev, 2009. Web. 22 Apr. 2013. <http://www.maglev.net/information/>. (3) Taylor, Bob. "Europe's High Speed Trains: Romancing the Rails." Washington Times Communities. Washington Times, 13 Apr. 2013. Web. 22 Apr. 2013. <http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/travels-peabod/2013/apr/13/europeshigh-speed-trains-romancing-rails/>. (4) "About the Shinkansen." JR Central. Central Japan Railway Company, 2013. Web. 22 Apr. 2013. <http://english.jr-central.co.jp/about/>.
Since the beginning of time, humans have been migrating all over the world for various reasons. Nomadic people traveled hundreds of miles in order to feed their livestock and cultivate crops. Explorers sailed the oceans and traveled on undiscovered paths looking for new lands and precious resources. Even today, millions of miles are driven, flown and floated in order to carry cargo and people all over the world. Planes, trains and trucks can be encountered every day, emphasizing the importance of these contraptions and how much people truly rely on them. Trains specifically, are an especially important part of the transport infrastructure in the world. This seemingly ancient, however constantly evolving mode of transport, is the key to making travel more convenient and affordable. Trains have been used as early as 1550 in Germany. During the 16th century, roads of rails called „wagonways‟ consisted of “primitive railed roads consisted of wooden rails over which horse -drawn wagons or carts moved with greater ease than over dirt roads” (1). Even its most primitive stage, people were realizing that the railways allowed for a much smoother ride along with a smaller friction force acting on the wheel due to the smooth contact surface. The smaller friction force made it easier for the engine, in this case the horses, to expend less energy. By 1776, the wood used in the rails was being replaced by iron, which allowed tramways to replace wagon ways, rapidly expanding and spreading through Europe. In 1789, “Englishman, William Jessup designed the first wagons with flanged wheels. The flange was a groove that allowed the wheels to better grip the rail, this was an important design that carried over to later locomotives” (1). The train and railroad infrastructure was revolutionized by the invention of the steam engine. Samuel Homfray made the decision and carried out the planning of funding the development of the first steam-powered locomotive. On February 22, 1804, the locomotive, built by Richard Trevithick, “hauled a load of 10 tons of iron, 70 men and five extra wagons […] 9 miles” (1). From then on more inventors began modernizing the steam-powered locomotive and spreading the technology all over the world, eventually leading to the creating of the modern-day marvel known as a high-speed train. Eventually, steam-powered train engines turned into electricity-powered engines. The evolution of these trains brings us to today where maglev trains, which stands for magnetic levitation, are extremely prominent in Europe and Asia and are becoming increasing popular in the United States of America. These trains are also commonly known as high speed rail trains. Magnetic levitation is “a process by which a magnet moving over a piece of metal causes electrical currents to flow in the metal that, in turn, produce forces that push the magnet upward” (2). As soon as the force created by the magnetic is sufficiently large enough, the magnets begin to float. There are many advantages to a maglev train, and they are significantly superior to regular steel on steel trains. Due to its floating nature, the train‟s base does not come into contact with the rails. The maglev system also eliminates the need for any moving parts such as wheels, axles or stabilizing rods. Because there are no moving parts and in general there is less wear and tear on the mechanical components of the trains, the trains require significantly less maintenance than regular trains (2). Maglev trains also improve the comfort of the train ride. Due to the fact that there are no parts of the train touching the metal track, such as steel wheels contacting the steel tracks, the noise level are significantly reduced. Simple physics shows that the only noise being produced is that of air resistance that the train produces while traveling at its high speeds. Another significant advantage of high speed trains over typical diesel trains is that high speed trains can travel at much higher velocities than the regular diesel or even electric trains. Because of the decrease in contact friction, much less energy is needed to propel the train forward. Some trains can even achiever velocities up to 300 miles per hour, or 500 kilometer per hour. There are also a few environmental advantages to high speed rail trains. Due to the fact that these trains run on electricity, they do not burn any type of fossil fuel while functioning and thus do not emit any carbon dioxide. These high speed trains not only emit little to no
carbon dioxide, they are also quieter and more energy efficient than any other commercial mode of transport. Additionally, they are ideal for urban and residential areas due to the infrastructure‟s minimalistic footprint (2). It is easy to see why the high speed rail trains that implement maglev technology are such an attractive mode of transport not only for commuters, but also travelers and cities in general. This is why these trains are implemented all over the world and its infrastructure is constantly expanding to new countries and continents. The entire European continent has always relied on trains as an important mode of transport. Trolleys and subways systems in cities along with long distance trains between countries are utilized by millions of people every year. Bob Taylor from the Washington Times states that “Europe‟s modern high speed rail networks have forever changed the way travelers visit the continent” (3). Taylor also implies that the high speed rail in Europe also makes traveling a more pleasant and memorable experience when he write that “thanks to modern rail technology, traveling by train through Europe has recaptured the romance of travel that existed in a bygone era. Once again the simple act of coming from and going to is a pleasure to be enjoyed with contemporary comfort and efficiency” (3). The world first saw the high speed trains during the Tokyo Olympic Games in 1964. After the Games ended, everyone was amazed by the Shinkansen, or “bullet train” in Japanese (3). As populations in European cities increased and gasoline prices sky-rocketed, “countries like France and Germany quickly began developing high speed rail services of their own [and currently] France takes national pride as a leader in conventional rail technology, establishing a world record speed of 357.2 miles per hour in April of 2007” (3). Although most of the trains do not reach speeds anywhere near the 357.2 miles per hour the French were able to achieve, most operate around the 186 mile per hour mark, and some, such as the French TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) travels around 200 miles per hour (3). Many larger European countries have been able to construct and implement a dedicated track system for their high speed rail trains which produce high rates of speeds, while smaller countries with less revenue developed tilting trains which are not as fast as the trains operated on the dedicated high speed rail systems, but are “able to operate on existing rail lines” (3). One of the most amazing high speed rail achievements in Europe is the Chunnel, which is a high speed train that travels under the English Channel from London to Paris, making the trip in around 2 hours. Although using the train in the United States seems obsolete to some people, in Europe it is typically the first choice of anyone who travels around the continent. The high speed rail tickets may also seem expensive to some, ranging anywhere from 10 Euros all the way up to 300 Euros for a Chunnel ticket, “but when [one] consider[s] the high cost of gasoline in Europe [and] the convenience of going city-center to city-center by rail, […] a European rail pass is a bargain” (3). This emphasizes the value of the high speed rail trains in Europe, however the true birthplace of the bullet train lies in the eastern hemisphere. The true birthplace of the modern-day bullet train is Japan. As previously mentioned, Japan developed the bullet trains, known as Shinkansen, for the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games. Most modern-day trains are modeled after those designed for the Olympics. The Tokaido Shinkansen “travels between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka at a maximum speed of 270 km/h” (4). This route spans 17 stations and serves 232 trains per day, and 1,323 people per train, which comes out to approximately 391,000 passengers per day (4). On this train, tourists and native Japanese people can travel all over Japan in a miniscule amount of time. With their busy lifestyle, the Japanese people emphasize punctuality within their culture. The Tokaido Shinkansen embodies that ideology and boasts that “the average delay per train throughout the year is 0.6 minutes” (4). With this unparalleled efficiency and accessibility, it is no wonder why currently Japan is the founder and also leading innovator of the high speed rail network. High speed rail offers many social, economic and environmental benefits. This is the reason why many countries around the world have been able to implement such extensive high speed rail infrastructures. High speed rail is definitely still in the developmental stage in countries in Europe, Asia along with the United States and Canada, with all of them developing and/or expanding their very own high speed rail networks. High speed rail will keep developing and will definitely become increasingly prevalent and important all over the world.
References
(1) Bellis, Mary. "Railroad Invention and History." Railroad Invention and History. About.com, n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2013. <http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blrailroad.htm>. (2) "MagLev." Maglevnet Maglev Trains Maglev Photos Maglev Videos. Maglev, 2009. Web. 22 Apr. 2013. <http://www.maglev.net/information/>. (3) Taylor, Bob. "Europe's High Speed Trains: Romancing the Rails." Washington Times Communities. Washington Times, 13 Apr. 2013. Web. 22 Apr. 2013. <http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/travels-peabod/2013/apr/13/europeshigh-speed-trains-romancing-rails/>. (4) "About the Shinkansen." JR Central. Central Japan Railway Company, 2013. Web. 22 Apr. 2013. <http://english.jr-central.co.jp/about/>.
