Fast Track to Sustainable Mobility

This article describes the current success and future potential of high speed rail. The first high speed rail line, Tokaido Shinkansen, opened in 1964. The author cites two reasons for the rapid growth of high speed rail. First, such railways are efficient, safe, and reliable, appealing to consumers. Over medium distance, high speed railways can be faster than planes when security and regulations can add time to air journeys. Other consumer conveniences such as online ticketing, low cost trains, easy connections and on-train entertainment or business lounges have made train journeys more appealing to travelers. Secondly, technological progress has made high speed trains an environmentally friendly mode of transport. Included in the article is a chart listing all new lines that are in operation at 250 km/h or more. The length of each line is also included. A second chart list new lines under construction.