China plans to accelerate the implementation of safety measures
as the speed limit on many railways will be going up next month,
Minister of Railways Liu Zhijun has said.
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Liu called for improvements to technical standards, equipment
and the skills of railway workers before the country raises the
speed of most trains from 160 kilometers per hour to 200 on April
18.
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"It's a whole new challenge to the quality of equipment and
personnel as well as the environment and organization of
transport," said Liu.
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It will be the sixth time China has raised speed limits of
trains since 1997, when most were running at a mere 60 kilometers
per hour.
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"This upgrade is different from the previous ones. It's a leap
in essence," said Liu. "Safety problems with any link in the
process can lead to losses."
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Friday's China Securities Journal quoted an unidentified expert
as saying a speed of 200 kilometers per hour demands a much higher
safety standard and hence more work in upgrading trains and
tracks.
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Railway safety has drawn the public's attention after
hurricane-force winds derailed 11 carriages of a train in northwest
China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on February 28, killing
three and injuring 34.
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Experts with the ministry have said trains running at a high
speed are more likely to be overturned by strong winds.
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The ministry has asked a research center to develop a
strong-wind warning system.
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The coming speed boost will increase the railway system's
passenger handling capacity by 18 percent, and its cargo capacity
by 12 percent, according to the ministry. ?
(Xinhua News Agency March 17, 2007)