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China’s Blazing Fast Bullet Train
By Neil Peterson | September 2, 2009
If the Opening Ceremonies for the summer 2008 Olympic Games were any indication, the People’s Republic of China is intent on changing their global image. Under the rule of one of the last Communist governments, China has been under intense scrutiny for a myriad of social concerns – including their use of sweatshop labor, extreme poverty, and their violent handling of political uprisings. The Olympic Games – and the accompanying boost in tourism – could be seen as a new beginning for the nation, opening borders that were once closed to Western travelers. But it is not only this new openness that will be a boon to travelers, but their ongoing development of what is touted to be the fastest, most technologically advanced high-speed rail system in the world. The future is coming to China – and it’s arriving by rail.
Despite a growing technology industry, China is not immune to the worldwide economic recession. Prior to the Olympics, billions of Yen were spent in developing infrastructure, but the promise of boom times has yet to materialize, leaving thousands of property owners – and the banks holding the papers – scrambling to find occupants. With unemployment on the rise, and the financial system at risk, China has embarked on one of the most ambitious transportation projects ever seen – the countrywide development of high-speed rail. The government is so optimistic that they’ve routed a majority of their $585 billion stimulus package to the project, with plans to build 35 high-speed routes by 2012.
China Bullet Train – Shanghai
To the citizens of many Western countries, China’s focus on rail travel may seem antiquated. However, high-speed rail is anything but. Developed in Germany, the Maglev system uses magnetic levitation to propel the rail cars along the tracks – at speeds previously thought impossible for large-scale transportation. In addition to speed (dependent on conditions, capable of 300+ mph), maglev trains offer a smoother, and more quiet ride than conventional wheeled trains. However, this new system does require significant changes to existing infrastructure, in addition to addressing the potential safety issues. Inaugurated in 2002, the Shanghai Maglev train provides daily service between downtown Shangai and the Pudong International Airport, with the construction of further expansions planned to start in 2010. Built in partnership between the Chinese government and German company Transrapid, the Shanghai Maglev is the ‘first operational high-speed conventional maglev railway in the world’ and reaches an average speed of 311 mph on the limited track length.
The future project will combine foreign technology with Chinese manufacturing, with the aim to create thousands of jobs to boost regional economies. When finished, China will have over 16,000 miles of high-speed railways, linking the major cities of each province and expanding to the Western border. Already the principal means of transport for citizens – with over 1.456 billion trips taken in 2008 – the new lines will provide further service for both passengers and freight, easily connecting even the most isolated regions.
It is an ambitious project to be sure, but also a tremendous leap forward for an industry that has suffered in the aviation age. And for the Chinese – keepers of one of our civilization’s oldest and most mysterious cultures – it is the dawn of a new era.
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