High-speed rail is a type of passenger rail transport that operates significantly faster than traditional rail traffic. As of 2012 the maximum commercial speed was about 300kmph for the majority of installed systems.
The Shanghai Maglev Train reaches 431kmph.
High-speed trains travel at their maximum speed on specific tracks, generally using standard gauge, with avoiding at-grade crossings, and few curves.
Let's take a look at the high-speed train network in Europe.
Source: CNN
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Number of high-speed passengers
France
Total passengers: 114,395 million
Passenger kilometres: 51,864 billion
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Number of high-speed passengers
Germany
Total passengers: 73,709 million
Passenger kilometres: 22,561 billion
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Number of high-speed passengers
Italy
Total passengers: 33,377 million
Passenger kilometres: 10,746 billion
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Number of high-speed passengers
Spain
Total passengers: 28,751 million
Passenger kilometres: 11,505 billion
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Number of high-speed passengers
Belgium
Total passengers: 9,591 million
Passenger kilometres: 1,061 billion
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Number of high-speed passengers
The United Kingdom
Total passengers: 9,220 million
Passenger kilometres: 1,014 billion
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Number of high-speed passengers
The Netherlands
Total passengers: 6,005 million
Passenger kilometres: 0,915 billion
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Number of high-speed passengers
Finland
Total passengers: 2,278 million
Passenger kilometres: 0,604 billion
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Number of high-speed passengers
Turkey
Total passengers: 0,942 million
Passenger kilometres: 0,237 billion
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Market share with air travel
Madrid-Seville
Distance: 471 kilometres
Journey time: 2 hour, 25 minutes
Train speed: 194.90kmph
Market share: 83 per cent (train)
Market share: 17 per cent (air)
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Market share with air travel
Paris-London
Distance: 444 kilometres
Journey time: 2 hour, 15 minutes
Train speed: 197.33kmph
Market share: 81 per cent (train)
Market share: 19 per cent (air)
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Market share with air travel
Paris-Brussels
Distance: 310 kilometres
Journey time: 1 hour, 25 minutes
Train speed: 218.82kmph
Market share: 95 per cent (train)
Market share: 5 per cent (air)
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Market share with air travel
Paris-Barcelona
Distance: 630 kilometres
Journey time: 2 hour, 45 minutes
Train speed: 229.09kmph
Market share: 50 per cent (train)
Market share: 50 per cent (air)
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Kilometre of high-speed rail in Europe
Spain
In operation: 2,056km
Planned: 3,469km
Total: 5,525km
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Kilometre of high-speed rail in Europe
France
In operation: 1,896km
Planned: 3,469km
Total: 5,525km
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Kilometre of high-speed rail in Europe
Germany
In operation: 1,285km
Planned: 1,048km
Total: 2,333km
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Kilometre of high-speed rail in Europe
Italy
In operation: 923km
Planned: 395km
Total: 1,318km
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Kilometre of high-speed rail in Europe
Portugal
In operation: 0km
Planned: 1,006km
Total: 1,006km
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Kilometre of high-speed rail in Europe
Sweden
In operation: 0km
Planned: 750km
Total: 750km
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Kilometre of high-speed rail in Europe
Poland
In operation: 0km
Planned: 712km
Total: 712km
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Kilometre of high-speed rail in Europe
The United Kingdom
In operation: 113km
Planned: 204km
Total: 317km
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Kilometre of high-speed rail in Europe
Belgium
In operation: 209km
Planned: 0km
Total: 209km
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Kilometre of high-speed rail in Europe
Switzerland
In operation: 35km
Planned: 72km
Total: 107km
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First
The first high-speed rail first opened in 1964, in Japan, between Tokyo and Osaka. Europe's first dedicated high-speed rail started in 1978, in Italy, between Rome and Florence.
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Fastest
The world record for the fastest conventional train is held by a French TGV, which reached 574.8kmph in April 2007. TGV says its regular high-speed trains reach speeds of up to 320kmph.
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Track
Construction of one kilometre of new high-speed line in Europe costs between $15-$37 million, according to the International Union of Railways.
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Train
Construction of a 350-seat high-speed train in Europe costs betwen $25-$31 million, according to the International Union of Railways.
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