A Bullet Train with Fold-Up Beds

China just came up with a bullet train that has the capability to convert its seats into a sleeping berth in order to meet the demands of operating round-the-clock. Commonly known as the Panda due to its unique nose designs, the first bullet trains are just rolling out of the assembly lines in Jilin Province. The trains are equipped with 16 carriages and 13 of these shall host these bed-cum-seats. The beds will be rolled out for nighttime operations while seats shall be used for day transits. Passengers shall also have access to modern amenities such as WiFi and USB ports as well as a backrest, cup holders and armrests in a bid to maximize comfort. So how does this connect to vibration dampening, you ask.

Think about the speeds at which these trains run and the temperatures that they’re expected to face. With a maximum speed of 250 km/ h and the capability to run in temperatures of -40 degrees C, things like sound proofing and vibration damping are essential for passenger comfort. You wouldn’t want to spend a night in a rickety train that keeps squeaking you out of your dreams or a berth that probably moves more than those wheels, would you?

Using the right high density materials can reduce the noise within the compartment by as much as 65 decibels and this could prove to make all the difference when it comes to enjoying a ride or simply completing the journey! Simple solutions such as vibration damping can go a long way in maximizing passenger comfort, and with train travel reinventing itself in the modern world, making sure that the passenger enjoys the ride is essential for its long-term growth and ensuring stability in its demand.

The Panda has passed 14 tests, including the curve test, passenger compartment illumination test and empty weighting test, but most importantly, it also passes the noise test. Experts believe that the development of this line of high-speed bullet trains in the country is expected to become a model for future technological innovation in the field, enhancing the global competitiveness for the country’s train technology.

China faces stiff competition from Japan in its bid to market high-speed technology to other Asian markets, with India expected to be a major importer of the technology in the near future. And while Japan won the bid to build the first bullet train in the country between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, the future of high-speed technology in the continent is as open as it could be.