The analysis of train reliability for the Taiwan High Speed Rail

Abstract

This study briefly reviews the development of the Taiwan High Speed Rail and analyzes its service reliability in terms of punctuality and average delay per train. The concept of risk management is also introduced in this paper to analyze the frequency and the severity of train delays caused by different kinds of accidents. According to the result of the analysis, signal and interlocking failures are the main reasons leading to train delays. Earthquakes and typhoons are also major threats to the system, even though the system tends toward stable. Based on the experiences of the Taiwan High Speed Rail, shortening the maintenance cycle can efficiently alleviate the problem of train delay caused by signal failures. © 2010 WIT Press.