Kingfisher's Guide for the High Speed Rail: A Review on Bullet Trains

Japanese bullet trains left the world in awe with their lightning fast speeds and aerodynamic features, serving as an innovative technological breakthrough in the transportation industry.  However, these sleek, ultra-fast trains, known for their punctuality and efficiency, owe their design to an unexpected source—the kingfisher bird.

The famous Shinkansen bullet train first appeared on October 1, 1964 as the world’s first high speed rail network. Before being known as yume no chotokkyu, or “super-express of dreams,” this bullet train project worked on by Japanese engineers seemed to be an impossible feat. Not only did the workers face many technological difficulties along the way, but they also faced public criticism and budget issues. Despite the challenges, the launch of the bullet train transformed the transportation industry, not only in Japan but in the rest of the world as well. It served as a symbol of Japan’s reconstruction and their technical prowess after the catastrophe left by World War II. The first Shinkansen bullet train traveled a lengthy distance of 320 miles between Tokyo and Osaka. What had taken conventional trains around seven hours to commute was reduced to merely three hours with the bullet train. It traveled at a maximum speed of 200 miles per hour and made city to city travel more convenient and popular.

Yet, with the launch of the first bullet train, Japanese engineers encountered a significant challenge that demanded attention. At high speeds, the train generated a buildup of atmospheric pressure at its front, resulting in disruptive pressure waves that reverberated loudly after passing through tunnels, disturbing nearby residents. To resolve this issue without compromising the train's speed, engineers turned to nature for inspiration, seeking a model for structural redesign.

One bird in particular caught the eye of one of the engineers who also spent his time as a birdwatcher. The kingfisher is a bird from the Alcedinidae family and is known for its wide and sturdy body with its long and thick beak. Kingfishers often possess a variety of bright colors that make them easily noticeable and recognizable. Their most notable feature is their long, dagger-like beak which is used to hunt for food. To catch their prey, kingfishers perch on a branch above a body of water and wait until a fish swims into view. When their prey is in view, the kingfishers launch themselves off the branch and quickly dive into the water to capture their food.

The engineers of the bullet train were captivated by a specific hunting technique employed by the kingfisher. This remarkable bird possesses a sleek, aerodynamically shaped beak that minimizes water disruption and suppresses noise when diving for prey. This unique adaptation allows the kingfisher to approach its target stealthily without alerting it. Drawing from the kingfisher's design, engineers revolutionized the bullet train by implementing a similar beak-inspired front. This innovation significantly reduced pressure waves at the train's head, resulting in a remarkable decrease in noise production. Moreover, the new design slashed air pressure by thirty percent, cut electricity usage by fifteen percent, and boosted the train's speed by ten percent. The integration of biomimicry not only enhanced the efficiency and speed of the bullet train but also exemplifies how nature's solutions continue to inspire breakthroughs in technology and sustainability.

With remarkable advancements in the technology of the Shinkansen bullet train, it's astonishing to discover that a pivotal aspect of its design drew inspiration from a small little bird. Biomimicry, where nature's genius guides human innovation, continues to catalyze more efficient and visionary designs across diverse fields. The Shinkansen's story is just one compelling example of how looking to nature can lead to breakthroughs that redefine what's possible. I hope you learned something new! Keep a lookout for the next post!

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References

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Japan Rail Pass. (2019 Jan. 25). History of the Shinkansen: 50 years of the Japanese bullet train. Japan Rail Pass. Retrieved July 23, 2022, from https://www.jrailpass.com/blog/shinkansen-bullet-train-history

McKean, C. A. (2014 Aug. 19). Japan’s Bullet Train, the World’s First (and Still Best) High-Speed Rail Network, Turns 50. Next City. Retrieved July 23, 2022 from https://nextcity.org/urbanist-news/japans-bullet-train-the-worlds-first-and-still-best-high-speed-rail-network

San Diego Wildlife Alliance. (n.d.). Kingfisher. San Diego Wildlife Alliance. Retrieved July 23, 2022, from https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/kingfisher

West, JR. (1997). High Speed Train Inspired by the Kingfisher. AskNature. Retrieved July 23, 2022, from https://asknature.org/innovation/high-speed-train-inspired-by-the-kingfisher/#