RTR4GO3S.jpg (Photo : Reuters)
On Dec. 22, Monday, the National Railway Administration (NRA) has set down China's first-ever design specification standards for rail links that cater to high-speed trains running at speeds of 250 to 350 kilometers per hour.
In the statement it released, the NRA stated that "these specifications are fundamental and important technical requirements."
The new standards set by the administration will be followed by almost 20 fields taking part in designing and constructing railways in China.
These standards were laid out with safety as one of the top priorities. Firms and companies involved were also asked to do the job with the environment in mind in order to reduce pollution.
The NRA based its set standards on experience it obtained domestically as well as the advice from experts outside the country.
According to an article published by Xinhua on June 06, 2007, "China's railways are among the busiest in the world. In 2006, they carried a quarter of the world's rail traffic volume on only 6 percent of the world's tracks."
Other than improving domestic transportation, recent improvements on the railway systems have caused China to plan on selling its technology and equipment to foreign markets.
Thailand's first standard-gauge railway line will be over 800 kilometers long and will be constructed under the memorandum of understanding on railway cooperation agreed upon by China and Thailand a week ago.
According to the NRA's statement, the specifications will guide enterprises involved in railway design and construction to explore foreign markets.
The announcement states that the standards will take effect on Feb. 1, 2015.
