Chūō Shinkansen
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Chūō Shinkansen (中央新幹線) is a proposed maglev line connecting Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka, Japan, a culmination of the maglev development since the 1970's, a government funded project initiated by Japan Airlines and the former JNR. JR Central now operates the facilities and research. The trainsets themselves are popularly known in Japan as "Linear Motor Car" (リニアモーターカー), though there have been many technical variations.
In April of 2007, JR Central President Masayuki Matsumoto said that JR Central would aim to begin commercial maglev service between Tokyo and Nagoya in the year 2025.[1] On December 25, 2007, JR Central announced that they would begin construction on the track from Tokyo to Nagoya, costing about 5 trillion yen (44 billion USD) and scheduled to be completed by 2025.[2]
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[edit] Yamanashi Test Track
Formerly, a test track was built in Miyazaki Prefecture for maglev research and development in the 1970's. After many successes, an eighteen-kilometer test track with tunnels and bridges and slopes has been built between Otsuki and Tsuru, Yamanashi Prefecture. Although exact route planning and construction for the line have not begun, the Yamanashi track may be integrated into the line at a later date. The trainsets currently being tested for durability and cost reduction, and have operating speeds of over 500 km/h (310 mph), making the Chūō Shinkansen the world's fastest railway. Citizens of Yamanashi Prefecture and government officials are eligible for free rides, and over 200,000 people have taken part.
[edit] Route Choice
The Chūō Shinkansen's proposed route follows the Chūō Main Line between Tokyo and Nagoya, and the Kansai Main Line between Nagoya and Osaka through many sparsely-populated areas, but it was chosen as the Tōkaidō route is congested, and to provide an alternative route if the Tōkaidō Shinkansen were to become blocked by earthquake damage.
[edit] Costs
However, the great expense in blasting tunnels through the mountains of central Japan has led many observers to speculate that the project will not go forward as government debt exceeds 170% of GDP, and it would be a white elephant that could never recoup its costs if it were actually built, in addition to very high operational costs. In May 2003 estimates put the total cost of the Chūō Shinkansen at US$ 82.5bn.[3]
However, using the German maglev technology also used in China, costs could be cut down to US$ 30bn per 500 km (Shanghai's maglev line cost US$63m per mile. The planned, but later cancelled, maglev in Munich was estimated US$66m per mile before additional sound isolation demands almost doubled the projected cost). Also, implementing maglev through the coastal Tōkaidō route would require far less money but cause loud booms as trains enter tunnels at high speeds.
[edit] Technical
On December 2, 2003, MLX-01, a three-car train set a world record speed of 581 km/h (361 mph) in a manned vehicle run. It also passed another record of two trains passing each other at a combined 1026 km/h. The "linear" term is in reference to the use of a linear motor as its method of propulsion.
[edit] References
- ^ "'25 Tokyo-Nagoya maglev debut eyed'", The Japan Times, 2007-04-27. Retrieved on 2007-04-27.
- ^ "'リニア中央新幹線：ＪＲ東海、５兆円全額負担 東京－名古屋、２５年開業へ事業化'", Mainichi Shimbun, 2007-12-25. Retrieved on 2007-12-26.
- ^ "Chuo maglev Shinkansen to cost up to $US 82.5 billion", International Railway Journal, 2003-05-01. Retrieved on 2007-09-10.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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