Re: Japanese are just light years ahead of us!
Author: Max Wyss
Date: 05-20-2018 - 19:45
In most cases in Japan, a line is operated with the same rolling stock (or rolling stock with similar running characteristics). Then, make reasonable schedules with a little bit of padding, and you can operate on time.
A speed limit is a speed limit is a speed limit. This is fundamental for safe operation.
One example where "speeding" is allowed to catch up time is, however, on the German Neubaustrecken Hannover - Fulda - Würzburg and Mannheim - Stuttgart. These lines are certified for 280 km/h. The ICE1 trains are also certified for 280 km/h. However, normal operational maximum speed is 250 km/h. So, if a train is a bit late, it may get permission to run at 280 km/h, catching up a couple of minutes. As it is within the certified limits of the line and rolling stock, it is absolutely safe.