SNCF TGV POS High Speed Train... Isn't it too dangerous?

Question

I heard about them having trains like this one in China, and people were hit a lot by them, but a lot of them jumped in front or drove there car in front. But they made a new train in Europe and it first drove on the tracks this week, and when I seen it on the tracks, it was going REALLY fast. It was going 574.8 km/h (357.2 mph). Doesn't anything think its dangerous that they have the rails and train close to towns and citys? If there was anyone walking across the tracks they would never have time to jump out of the way, and if there was a car, it wouldn't have time to accelerate and get out of the way. And if the train his like a semi with a gas trailer it could explode and the train would derail. What does everyone else think about the train?

Answer 1

High speed trains are now becoming more popular due to the rising costs of Aviation Turbine Fuel for aircraft or common diesel and gasoline used to propel vehicles such as cars and trucks.

However, in most cases, high speed trains such as the TGV or the ICE (D-Bahn) or even the Magnetic Levitation (MagLev) types are PURELY for passenger purposes and traditionally are NOT used for carrying cargo. The reason is simple: No railway network can predict or forecast how much cargo it will carry from one destination to another on a particular day. And techniques required for shunting (attaching) different types of cargo containers to the engine, also differ. Also, cargo, being heavier than passengers, cannot be rushed at high speeds.

Yes, high speed trains do pose some degree of hazard to cities but one needs to look at the facts: Most railway tracks are built at a safe distance- away from buildings and other installations. And in cities where they do pass around buildings etc- there are buffers or specially built walls and sheilds that will absorb the shock, if the train accidentally derails. Out in the countryside, tracks are built away from habitation. Also, high speed trains will NEVER go at full speed in a city.

True that any person or car that comes in the way will be crushed and possibly the train will derail. But, crossing railway tracks itself is a bad idea for anybody, except at specifically designated railway-crossings, which open ONLY when there is no train expected to pass within the next five minutes.

Personally, I LOVE high speed trains such as the TGV operated by Thalys, ICE operated by Deutsche Bahn and similar ones operated by Trenitalia, Nederlandse Spoorwegen or B-Rail to name a few.

Answer 2

Railroads have been running high-speed for a long time, they've got it figured out.

You're right, at those speeds, "stop look and listen" won't give adequate warning.  So, no one is ever allowed to cross those tracks.  There are bridges or underpasses for the cars and pedestrians.  They are well fenced so they don't have trespassers trying to cross the tracks.

But even on regular tracks, busy crossings have "crossing flashers" which give 20 seconds of advance warning that a train is coming.  Anywhere else, the person crossing the tracks must stop, look and listen.

Answer 3

TGV is already in commercial use for many years with a commercial cruise speed of 300 / 320 Kmh. Nobody IN trains was never be killed or injured.

Hazard remains for people and vehicules crossing railtracks BUT:

TGV railtracks are designed to avoid any crossing at same levels. every crossing is above (bridge) or below (bridge & tunnels) the railtracks. On some parts of tle tracks, crossings at same level remains but TGV is not allowed to run full speed on these parts. And on TGV special designed railtracks, there is a high fence both sides.

I commute with this train every day and I really enjoy it. I never witnessed any serious accident.

Answer 4

A TGV and Eurostar (UK version for working through the tunnel) have both derailed at high speed. I think the Eurostar derailed at about 150mph. Worst injury was a broken arm!

You will notice that the coaches share bogies/trucks, this keeps the train coupled and upright in a derailment

Also the in service speed of this TGV is 200mph