To coincide with the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, Japan launched the world's first high-speed train, the Shinkansen.
Capable of running at 210 kilometers per hour, this groundbreaking bullet train inspired countries around the world to invest in high-speed rail.
Today, these trains regularly travel at over 300 kilometers per hour, on par with the takeoff speed of a commercial airplane.
But could these trains go even faster, whisking passengers to their destinations quicker than the smoothest flight?
To answer this, it helps to understand how these trains reach their already impressive speeds.
There are three main factors that separate bullet trains from traditional low-speed trains: engines, aerodynamics, and infrastructure.
Most traditional trains are powered by combustion engines, which combust fuel, typically diesel, to turn an electric generator.
This electricity is then used to power motors that turn the train's wheels.
High-speed trains, on the other hand, use electric engines to power their motors.
This process is more energy-efficient than combustion and allows train operators to reach top speeds more quickly.
