Improvement to the aerodynamic characteristics of Shinkansen rolling stock

Abstract

Following the Series 300, which was introduced in March 1993, the next-generation Series 700 train-set was put into commercial operation on the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen lines in March 1999. The Series 700 has a number of aerodynamic improvements, focusing on the nose shape, the area around the carbody, car coupling areas, the pantograph and the pantograph cover. These improvements have resulted in lower wayside noise and pressure fluctuations, improved riding comfort in tunnels, reduced power consumption and increased speed (285 km/h) over some track sections. This paper reports the development of the Series 700 train-set by describing the techniques used to improve the aerodynamic characteristics of the car and the results of the improvements in comparison with the Series 300 train-set.