To change wayside areas into spheres for everyday living and economic activity and bring about a transformation, it is indispensable that solid bonds between cities are formed with safe and highly-reliable high-speed, high-volume and high-frequency transportation.
Safety must be absolutely assured with a system that sustains high-speed, high-volume and high-frequency transportation. The premise underlying high-speed rail use is rooted in establishment of the value that the “high-speed rail system be safe.”
To realize high-speed, high-volume and high-frequency transportation, it is important that train operation conform to a schedule and punctuality be assured. Moreover, reliability of the entire high-speed rail system is increased with the prompt resumption of operation even when in cases of accident, inclement weather or other adverse situations.
High-speed rail shortens travel times, an achievement never previously attained. High-speed rail eliminates the barrier against travel distance and time and dramatically reduces the travel time between cities, thereby building stronger bonds between these areas.
The capability to move a large number of people, who have different objectives, at the same time creates stronger and deeper bonds between cities.
High-frequency transportation increases the options that users may choose from in selecting their travel time and reduces the amount of time that they have to wait, substantially shortening travel time overall. Realizing shortened travel times in accordance with users’ needs enables permanent bonds to be formed between cities.
Simply adopting a high-quality high-speed rail system does not by itself bring about transformation. Improvements in connectivity, promotion of urban development, and sound management are essential for linking adoption of the high-speed rail system to reform the country’s economy and society.
Expanding the urban transportation network and providing greater connectivity between high-speed rail and urban transportation are required so that people across the even broader region are able to enjoy the benefits of high-speed rail.
TOD (Transit Oriented Development) needs to be promoted to connect population and business clusters along railways to induce even greater societal and economic ramifications. For the sound promotion of TOD, the country, wayside communities, railway operators, land developers and everyone else involved need to take a long-term view and collaborate staunchly with each other.
To continue to provide high-speed, high-volume and high-frequency transport over the long term after operation begins, the financial stability of the entity managing the high-speed rail needs to be ensured, and appropriate investment that takes a long-term perspective is necessary in personnel training and development, capital investment, technology development and other elements.