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Comment by spxneo | Hacker News Reader

comparing China's high speed transportation is a low bar. they absolutely do not give a crap about derailment, in fact they straight up buried it, literally

instead you should see Japan's shinkansen as a measure of standards. They built that in the sixties

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>low bar

It's one the highest bars in the world, safer than Euro HSR. Wenzhou was the only large accident. Safety record after has been Shinkansen tier, except on largest network in the world. Crippled speed Brightline is already a deathtrap, US HSR would be fortunate to be a fraction as safe as PRC HSR.

Was just in Japan for the first time and Shinkansen is such a treat. Quiet, fast, clean, spacious. I'd sooo much rather train than take small 1-2 hour flights.

why doesn't anybody else build this? north america in comparison is stuck in the 19th century when it comes to rail transportation. its bizarre.

Having your country destroyed by bombs makes it a lot easier to do greenfield infrastructure projects

That has absolutely nothing to do with it: these projects are mostly through rural areas. The Tokaido shinkansen line is largely underground, in tunnels through mountains. The new Chuo shinkansen maglev line currently being built is 90% underground.

What's missing in America is national unity and political will.

> why doesn't anybody else build this?

I mean, most of Europe has, China has, it's not really a case of "nobody else" doing it.

Europe has a very similar rail setup. Both France and Germany have very good high speed rail connections with their TGV and ICE. You connect into those from London, Brussels and Amsterdam via Eurostar and the German ICE.

Yes the Shinkansen is such a civilised experience! I basically travelled direct to Tokyo from Nozawaonsen straight from the slopes and it was comfortable and not stressful in a way flying could never be.

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