High-speed rail plays a crucial role in modern transportation systems, providing people with quick, safe, and convenient means of travel. However, unlike many other forms of transport, high-speed rail operations are often restricted at night.
First, let’s explore the history of high-speed rail. High-speed rail originated in Germany in the early 20th century. It was first developed to address the challenges of small territory and a dense population in Germany post-war.
After decades of development, high-speed rail has become one of the most advanced forms of transportation in the world. In China, the development of high-speed rail also began from scratch and has grown from small to large.
Today, China boasts the longest high-speed rail network in the world, and high-speed trains have become one of the key travel options for the public.
The nighttime operation ban ensures safety for train control.
The high-speed rail signaling system typically uses visual signals to control train operations. At night, due to limited visibility, using visual signals can be challenging and poses a risk of errors. The ban on nighttime operations helps ensure safety for train control.
However, during the development of high-speed rail, a question arises that many find intriguing: Why can’t high-speed trains operate at night in many countries? The answer to this question lies in two aspects.
First, from a technical perspective, high-speed trains face significant difficulties when traveling at night. Low visibility at night poses a major safety hazard for high-speed vehicles such as high-speed trains. Additionally, track inspections and maintenance of signals and other equipment along the high-speed rail lines are often carried out at night when no trains are running. The ban on nighttime operations helps ensure safety for maintenance workers and optimizes work efficiency.
Furthermore, the electrical systems powering high-speed trains are at a higher risk of fire or explosion at night due to electrical faults or lightning strikes. The ban on train operations during this time helps minimize the risk of serious accidents.
The nighttime operation ban helps railway companies save on operational costs.
Some systems on high-speed trains, such as braking systems and air conditioning systems, require regular maintenance. The ban on nighttime operations provides technicians with the time to maintain these systems, ensuring safety for daytime train operations.
Second, from an economic perspective, the operational costs of high-speed rail at night are relatively high, but the passenger volume at night is quite low. To maintain operations, nighttime high-speed rail would have to charge higher ticket prices, which would deter many people from choosing to travel at night. Thus, the ban on nighttime operations helps railway companies save on operational costs, including labor, energy, and maintenance expenses.
Additionally, noise from high-speed trains can affect residents living near the tracks, especially at night when they are sleeping. The nighttime operation ban helps reduce noise and environmental pollution.
In many countries, there are legal regulations that restrict the operation of transportation vehicles at night, including high-speed trains. These regulations aim to ensure traffic safety and minimize noise and environmental pollution.
