Did you know that Japan Railway Companies conducts timetable revision every year to increase customer satisfaction? This year’s highlight is the “Nozomi 12 train timetable”!
The Tokaido Shinkansen, running for 515km between Tokyo and Osaka, can now operate 17 Shinkansen trains per hour, including 12 “Nozomi” trains that connect the two metro areas in less than 2.5 hours. The new timetable was made possible by limiting Tokaido Shinkansen rolling stock to essentially one type, the series “N700A & N700S (debuting in July 2020),” which is the latest model of advanced high-speed rolling stock.

The new timetable will allow the Tokaido Shinkansen to run every 4 minutes at a maximum speed of 285kph (although the trains themselves are capable of speeds in excess of 360kph, 285kph is the speed limit on the Tokaido Line). This exceptional frequency is possible thanks to unique features of the Shinkansen high-speed rail system: 1) “Dedicated high-speed tracks” that are free of level crossings and interference by slower trains, and 2) the “Total System Approach,” which is the concept of integrating rolling stock, electric power, signals, communication systems, tracks, civil engineering structures, accident prevention and protection facilities, and other tangible elements, with intangible elements such as operations, maintenance and personnel training and development.
For more information about the Shinkansen high-speed rail system or the Total System Approach, please visit our website!