Railway Technical Research Institute

Railway Technical Research Institute
財団法人鉄道総合技術研究所

RTRI's logo
Abbreviation RTRI
Formation December 10, 1986 (1986-12-10) (25 years ago)
Type Japanese Foundation
Purpose/focus Research and consulting of the railway technology.
Headquarters 2-8-38, Hikaricho, Kokubunji-shi, Tokyo
Location  Japan
Region served Japan
Official languages Japanese
Leader Eisuke Masada (正田 英介) chairperson
Affiliations Japan Railways Group
Budget 15.3 billion YEN (FY 2009) [1]
Staff 512 (as of October 1, 2008)
Website www.rtri.or.jp

Railway Technical Research Institute (鉄道総合技術研究所 Tetsudō Sōgō Gijutsu Kenkyūsho?), or RTRI (鉄道総研 Tetsudō Sōken?), is the technical research company under the Japan Railways group of companies.

Contents

Overview

RTRI was established in its current form in 1986 just before Japanese National Railways was privatised and split into separate JR group companies. RTRI conducts research about everything related to trains, railways and their operation. Funding is received from the government as well as the private railway companies. RTRI works both on developing new railway technology, such as magnetic levitation, and improving the safety and economy of current technology.

Research topics include earthquake detection and alarm systems, systems for detecting obstacles on level crossings, improving adhesion between train wheels and tracks, reducing energy usage, noise barriers and preventing vibrations, among other topics.

RTRI is the main developer behind the Japanese Maglev train.

Main office and branch office

Gatsugi
Shiozawa
Wind Tunnel
Kunitachi
RTRI　
 Research facilities  Office
Research facilities
Office

Gauge Change Train

The RTRI is developing a variable gauge system, called the "Gauge Change Train", to allow 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) Shinkansen trains to access 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) lines of the original rail network.[2]

Publications

See also

External links

References

  1. ^ http://www.rtri.or.jp/rtri/gyomu_zaimu/h21/pdf/6_1.pdf
  2. ^ Japan Railway & Transport Review - page 6