Sep 303 min read

The Significance of the Shinkansen

Author: Rin Takahashi

Editors: Jaylen Peng, Maria Flores

Artist: Emily Hu

Transportation has become more convenient, significantly changing how people travel since the invention of the steam engine in 1765. The Shinkansen in Japan, commonly known as the bullet train, is one of the most significant advancements in modern transportation. The Shinkansen reaches a top speed of 320 km/h (199 mph), connecting the major cities across Japan including Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. It is the fastest and most convenient way to traverse the country. But what is so special about bullet trains, and what sets them apart from other forms of transportation like ordinary trains and planes?

Nowadays, trains use engines to pull train cars along steel tracks. However, the Shinkansen is a type of Maglev train, short for magnetic levitation, which relies on powerful electromagnets to achieve high speed. The electromagnets lift the train off the track and accelerate it forward using magnetic forces. You might’ve seen the north and south poles of magnets repelling when brought close together, and that is precisely what happens when the train carts and the track meet. Since the train carts float above the tracks, friction is eliminated because two objects rarely come into contact. The elimination of friction allows the Shinkansen to travel significantly faster.

Using magnetic fields also eliminates the loud, high-pitched screech you might hear when a train stops or is in motion. The loudness can vary depending on the train's speed, as a correlation exists between volume and frequency. For instance, when the train is running at its highest speed and suddenly stops, it will make a louder noise than when a train runs slower. These sounds are caused by friction between the train wheels and tracks, which resonates and creates loud noises. The magnetic levitation of the Shinkansen eliminates the friction and noise typically caused by contact between train wheels and tracks.

Replacing the airplanes with Shinkansen will prevent global warming from worsening, as the Shinkansen emits less carbon dioxide. For a 1,200 km journey, roughly the distance between New York City and Atlanta, Georgia, a plane emits 219.324 kg of carbon dioxide, while a bullet train emits only 5.4 kg for the same distance. As shown, the Shinkansen only emits around 2.5 % of the carbon dioxide a plane does, emphasizing the environmental benefits this transportation can bring. With the high number of flights daily, increasing use of the Shinkansen could significantly reduce long-term carbon dioxide emissions.

Lastly, plane crashes occur more frequently than Shinkansen accidents. Although plane crashes have reduced significantly over the past decades, there were 640 plane crashes in 2019, the most recent research available, and 477 fatal injuries. On the other hand, there have never been passenger fatalities on the Shinkansen since 1964, when it was first introduced. Since each Shinkansen has its own tracks, collisions between the tracks don’t happen, contributing to the safety of the Shinkansen. This indicates taking the Shinkansen to travel around Japan is a better option as it significantly reduces the risk of a fatal injury.

The introduction of the Bullet train has made transportation more accessible for travelers and locals by being fast, quiet, eco-friendly, and safe, on top of its beautiful views. Considering the Shinkansen when traveling around Japan would be a great option. The United States does not offer a maglev train like the Shinkansen but is reviewing a maglev train project that could be a reality around 2030.

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