be far more effective in reducing traveling times to destinations. Furthermore, even if the speed of top class passenger trains were improved, the speed of local and freight trains could act as a restricting factor, making it difficult to raise efficiency.
The table below analyzes traveling time details for a special express train on a double-track section 340 km long. In this example, it is more economical to increase the speed through curves.
Sample Traveling Time Analysis
To increase the speed of freight trains, it would be most effective to change the transport format to inter-regional through trains and reduce stopping time at yards. The table below gives a typical example of this.
Sample Reduced Traveling Time for Freight Trains
Higher speeds lead to track deterioration not only because of increased impact force from trains, but also due to increased lateral force accompanying unbalanced centrifugal force through curves.
Furthermore, the need for more severe tolerance should be stressed to maintain train safety and passenger comfort at high speeds. Manpower is limited in terms of maintenance, so this may be the turning point to introduce mechanized maintenance.
Thus, it would be a mistake to think that as only the speed of some high-speed trains will be raised, its effect will be limited:
