China is accelerating its high-speed rail ambitions with the latest prototype of its CR450 train, which recently achieved a remarkable speed of 450 kilometers per hour during testing. This milestone sets the CR450 apart as the world's fastest high-speed train.
Engineers at the test center are meticulously monitoring the train's \"weight control\" by installing sensors on the tracks. These sensors transmit real-time weight data from each of the eight wheels on both sides of every carriage to a computer system, allowing precise adjustments to optimize performance.
\"While reducing the weight, we must ensure that its strength does not decrease, and we even need to increase its strength because of the higher speed. It's just like a person who wants to slim down while building strength. This involves structural changes and material innovations,\" explained Chen Can, an associate researcher at the Locomotive and Vehicle Research Institute China Academy of Railway Sciences.
To minimize air resistance during high-speed operations, the research team tackled challenges like resonance and heat dissipation, and for the first time, fully enclosed the bogie area underneath the train. Ha Dalei, a senior designer at CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles, stated, \"Ensuring the smoothness of the entire train body minimizes resistance during operation.\"
The CR450 has successfully completed static and low-speed dynamic tests in areas such as traction, braking, and noise. The next phase involves gradual speed increases during dynamic running tests.
China, currently the only country with commercial high-speed rail operations at 350 kilometers per hour, is now pushing the envelope by increasing the speed by an additional 50 kilometers per hour. Zhang Bo, director of the Locomotive and Vehicle Research Institute at CARS, highlighted the years of effort spent on validating technical feasibility, establishing standards, and crafting the technical route.
Although a 50-kilometer-per-hour increase may appear modest, the associated challenges were significant. Efforts focused on reducing drag and energy consumption, cutting vibrations and noise, and enhancing automation and lightweight design have resulted in a smoother train body with improved aerodynamics, reducing resistance by up to 22 percent.
According to Zhang, high-speed train speed is not only a technical achievement but also an economic and environmental consideration. Despite these factors, speed remains the most representative indicator of high-speed rail performance.
Reference(s):
Prototypes of China's new CR450 high-speed train undergo testing
cgtn.com
