Okay, here’s a detailed article based on the provided information from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) regarding high-speed operation in the Seikan Tunnel on the Hokkaido Shinkansen, specifically focusing on the “Time Zone Division Method” and the proposed 260 km/h speed:
Hokkaido Shinkansen: Faster Travel Through the Seikan Tunnel Coming Soon (Partially)!
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) announced on May 15, 2025, that they will implement a “Time Zone Division Method” to allow the Hokkaido Shinkansen to run at a higher speed (260 km/h) within the Seikan Tunnel during certain time slots around the Obon holiday period. This is a significant step towards realizing the full potential of the Hokkaido Shinkansen and shortening travel times between Honshu (the main island of Japan) and Hokkaido.
The Current Situation: Speed Restrictions and the Seikan Tunnel
Currently, the Hokkaido Shinkansen’s speed is restricted to 160 km/h within the Seikan Tunnel. This is largely due to the presence of conventional freight trains that also use the tunnel. Sharing the track with these freight trains requires maintaining a lower speed for safety and operational reasons, primarily to minimize aerodynamic effects that could potentially destabilize the freight trains. Also, because of the track maintenance and safety considerations.
The “Time Zone Division Method”: A Solution for Speed and Coexistence
The “Time Zone Division Method” aims to address the speed limitation issue while allowing the continued operation of freight trains through the Seikan Tunnel. Here’s how it works:
- Specific Time Slots: During the Obon holiday period (a major travel season in Japan), specific time slots will be designated where only Shinkansen trains will be operating within the tunnel. During these time slots, the speed limit will be raised to 260 km/h.
- Freight Train Scheduling: The scheduling of freight trains will be adjusted to avoid these designated high-speed Shinkansen time slots. This means carefully coordinating the schedules of both Shinkansen and freight services.
- Obon Holiday Focus: The initial implementation is focused on the Obon holiday, a peak travel period. This is likely chosen because any benefits from the higher speeds would be most noticeable during the busiest travel times.
Why 260 km/h?
260 km/h is a carefully selected speed. It represents a balance between significantly improving travel times and ensuring the safety and stability of both the Shinkansen trains and the tunnel infrastructure. While the Shinkansen is capable of much higher speeds, this represents a reasonable starting point given the shared-use nature of the tunnel.
Benefits of the Increased Speed:
- Reduced Travel Time: The most significant benefit will be a reduction in travel time between Honshu and Hokkaido. While the exact time savings will depend on the overall route, running at 260 km/h within the Seikan Tunnel will contribute to a noticeable improvement.
- Increased Convenience: Shorter travel times make the Shinkansen a more attractive option for travelers heading to Hokkaido, potentially boosting tourism and economic activity in the region.
- Optimizing Existing Infrastructure: By utilizing the existing Seikan Tunnel more efficiently, Japan can maximize the return on its investment in this major infrastructure project.
Future Implications:
This initial implementation of the “Time Zone Division Method” during the Obon holiday could be a precursor to further expansion. If successful, the method could be extended to other peak travel periods or even potentially expanded further if the coordination and safety measures prove effective.
In Conclusion:
The MLIT’s announcement marks an exciting development for the Hokkaido Shinkansen. The “Time Zone Division Method” offers a practical way to balance the needs of both high-speed passenger rail and freight transport while unlocking faster travel times for passengers heading to and from Hokkaido. While the changes are only for specific time slots in the Obon season at the start, this is a significant step towards achieving the original vision of the Hokkaido Shinkansen and enhancing connectivity within Japan.
お盆の一部時間帯における北海道新幹線青函トンネル内の高速走行（「時間帯区分方式」による時速２６０ｋｍ走行）
The AI has delivered the news.
The following question was used to generate the response from Google Gemini: