Wayside Environmental Measures for Shinkansen Speed Increases

JR East has been carrying out research and development (R&D) in view of achieving commercial operation of Shinkansen trains at 360 km/h. However, Shinkansen speed increases inevitably involve increases in tunnel micro-pressure waves and noise. This article will give an overview of R&D on affordable and achievable countermeasures against such tunnel micro-pressure waves and noise for areas along Shinkansen lines to maintain acceptable sound environments there. The authors will conduct field tests and functional checks of the noise control measures developed using a high-speed train running at 320 km/h and verify costs and effects of those with a goal of practical implementation.