Train scheduling of Shinkansen and relationship to reliable train operation

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

This paper on the scheduling of Japan's Shinkansen high speed trains and its relationship to reliable train operation is from the proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Computer System Design and Operation in Railways and Other Transit Systems, held in Beijing, China, in 2010. The authors explain why security is important, especially in Asia, as well as safety, and how reliable transportation in the Japanese Shinkansen was established, mainly in relation to train scheduling. The special features of the Shinkansen in relation to train scheduling include frequent train operation with relatively few intermediate stations, a uni-directional signaling system with few crossover routes, existence of trains of different average speeds due to different number of intermediate stops, and through operation to lines with different characteristics. The authors also describe several ideas actually taken by Shinkansen in order to realize reliable operation even in the case of possible disturbances. They conclude by recommending selective application by each high-speed railway section according to the purpose of the line and time rather than to take the proven best practice that may have worked on a rail line of different purpose.