The high speed rail technology is a dynamic field both in terms of economical and social and environmental aspects. Rapid advancement of the technology requires various other factors in rail technology to be looked into, including stability, aerodynamics, dynamics, etc. The speed at which the trains run on the tracks determines the kind of vibrations that take place due to passing of the trains. Thus it is important that the stability of the track is kept perfect for the sake of the passengers as well as the environmental conditions. The speed limits are decided by the government on the basis of environmental considerations and the feasibility of the technology.
There have been several researches done and a number of technologies have been launched in this regard. The main areas that have been worked upon are the dynamics of the high speed train and its control system. The main challenge is to find the best solutions that would be applicable to all the possible threats and would not cost a lot of money. The key areas of research and study include locomotive dynamics, track design and operation, environmental issues, etc.
The work of the High-Speed Railway Association of America (HSRA) has been responsible in the research work of High-Speed Rail in the US. They have been able to lay down a platform for a discussion between various railway and freight companies to find a common solution for the problems that are faced while operating the trains. The High-Speed Railway Association has also launched a new policy that calls for a joint venture between the railroads of the United States and China to jointly develop the high-speed rail. The prime objective is to build a new high-speed rail, which will reduce the cost involved in the projects. However, the project is yet to yield any results.
An organization called Association of American Railroads or AAR has been formed to bring together businesses and the experts working in the railway industry. The main aim is to increase the efficiency and reduce the cost involved in the transport of goods and passengers. The main focus is to use advanced technologies for the purpose. Some of the technologies used by them include the E-Z pass system and wireless security systems. In addition to this, there are several other technologies used for the High Speed Railway Technology.
The challenges faced by the High Speed Rail system include security, accident prevention, environment and people’s safety along with the cost involved. One such problem is the accident avoidance. This is achieved through the use of various safety measures like the crash sensor. It alerts the train station to stop the train and thereby prevent accidents. There have also been efforts made to incorporate safety features in the trains including emergency stop buttons.
Another challenge facing the HSR technology is the environmental issue. This is because there is no provision for utilising certain bio-degradable materials in the trains. The use of bio-degradable material could help reduce the amount of waste produced by the technology. Also, the environment does not suffer from the reduction in the number of vehicles used in the railway system. In fact, the environmental impact of the HSR technology is even less when compared to the diesel technology used in the trains.
