Global HSR: High Speed Rail

A comparison of speeds in the U.S., Europe, Japan, and China

3G MobilityFebruary 2010

U.S.: How fast is High Speed?

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What does “High Speed” mean?U.S. Amtrak Acela: Average operating speed: 71.5 MPH (maximum 150 MPH for two stretches totaling 28 miles between Boston and New York City)

Image adapted from The New York Times. See sources at end of this PPT.

Acela: Washington, DC to New York City• 4 stops (Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, Newark)• Fastest time: 2 hours 47 minutes(as published 12/30/09, effective from 11/9/09)• Distance: approximately 230 miles• Average speed: 83 MPH (top speed about 135 MPH)

Acela: New York City to Boston, MA• 5 stops (Stamford, CT; New Haven, CT; Providence, RI; Route 128, MA; Boston Back Bay)

• Fastest time: 3 hours 35 minutes(as published 12/30/09, effective from 11/23/09)• Distance: approximately 225 miles• Average speed: 63 MPH (top speed about 150 MPH)

Between New York City and Stamford, CT the Acela averages 48 MPH.

Including a stop of about 11-16 minutes in New York City, the total travel time from Washington, DC to Boston, MA is about 6 hours and 35 minutes. Total average travel speed: 71.5 MPH

UK and France: HSR Speeds

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Eurostar (London to Paris): Average operating speed: 136 MPH (maximum 186 MPH to over 200 MPH)

Eurostar: London, UK to Paris, France (via Chunnel)• No stops, express service• Fastest time: 2 hours 15 minutes(as published 12/30/09, effective from 12/13/09)• Distance: approximately 306 miles• Average speed: 136 MPH (top speed about 186 MPH+)

Paris, France to Lyon, France• 2 stops (Macon-Loche and Le Creusot)• Fastest time: 1 hour 53 minutes(according to Eurostar website)• Distance: approximately 264 miles (425 kilometers)• Average speed: 140 MPH (top speed about 186 MPH)

TGV (Paris to Lyon): Average operating speed: 140 MPH (maximum 186 MPH)

Map adapted from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/uk_news/6978427.stm

China: High Speed Rail

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CRH2 and CRH3 (Wuhan to Guangzhou): Average operating speed: 136 MPH (maximum 217 MPH)

Wuhan–Guangzhou High-Speed Railway 13 stops (from Wuhan to Guangzhou North)• Fastest time: 2 hours 55 minutes• Distance: approximately 573 miles (922 kilometers)*• Average speed: 196 MPH (top speed 217 MPH)

* From Wuhan to Guangzhou North station

CRH2 and CRH3 (Beijing to Tianjin): Average operating speed: 146 MPH (maximum 205 MPH)

Beijing—Tianjin Intercity Railway No stops• Fastest time: 30 minutes• Distance: approximately 73 miles (117 kilometers)• Average speed: 146 MPH (top speed 205 MPH)

Japan: How fast is High Speed?

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JR Central Shinkansen (Tokyo to Osaka): Average operating speed: 133 MPH (maximum 168 MPH)

Shinkansen: Hakata to Osaka, Japan5 stops (Kobe, Okayama, Hiroshima, Tokuyama, Kokura)• Fastest time: 2 hours 21 minutes(according to JORSA)• Distance: approximately 344.2 miles• Average speed: 146.5 MPH (top speed 186 MPH)

Shinkansen: Osaka to Tokyo, Japan4 Stops (Kyoto, Nagoya, Yokohama, Shinagawa)• Fastest time: 2 hour 25 minutes(according to JORSA)• Distance: approximately 320.1 miles• Average speed: 132.5 MPH (top speed 168 MPH)

JR West Shinkansen (Hakata to Osaka): Average operating speed: 147 MPH (maximum 186 MPH)

Japan

Osaka

Tokyo

Hakata

JR EastJR CentralJR WestJR Kyushu

Map adapted from http://www.ciosbahn.net/dream/inglese/velocita/shinka.php

High Speed Rail: Competition

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Maglev TrainsShanghai, China: Shanghai Maglev Train

Distance: 19 miles (30.5 km)

Maximum Speed: 268 mph (431 km/hr)

Travel time: 7 minutes 20 seconds

Average Operating Speed: 158 mph

Route from Shanghai Pudong International Airport to the Pudong Longyang Road Station.

click image for video

High Speed Rail: What is possible?

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Here is a video from April 2007 showing a live test run of a TGV train which reaches 357 miles per hour (nearly 575 kilometers per hour)!!!

3:13 of video

click video image to watch

High Speed Rail: Travel Rates/Prices

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How far and How much? Cost of Trips:

Trip Distance (miles) One-Way Roundtrip

Acela: Washington, DC to New York 230 $133 $266

Acela: New York to Boston 225 $93 $186

TGV: Paris to Lyon 225 $87 $174

Eurostar: London to Paris 306 $64 $128

Shinkansen: Tokyo to Osaka 320 $142 $284

Shinkansen: Osaka to Hakata 344 $141 $282

China: Wuhan to Guangzhou 573 $70 $140