High-speed Rail - Definitions

Definitions

See also: Passenger rail terminology

Multiple definitions for high-speed rail are in use worldwide.

  • The International Union of Railways (UIC) and EC Directive 96/58 define high-speed rail as systems of rolling stock and infrastructure which regularly operate at or above 250 km/h (155 mph) on new tracks, or 200 km/h (125 mph) on existing tracks. However lower speeds can be required by local constraints.
  • In the United States, the United States Code defines high-speed rail as services "reasonably expected to reach sustained speeds of more than 125 mph (200 km/h)", although the Federal Railroad Administration uses a definition of top speeds at 90 mph (145 km/h) and above. The Congressional Research Service uses the term "higher speed rail" for speeds up to 150 mph (240 km/h) and "very high speed rail" for the rail on dedicated tracks with speeds over 150 mph (240 km/h).

Some features are unique to high-speed rail: many conventionally-hauled trains – beginning with the French "Capitole", launched in 1967 – reach 200 km/h in commercial service, but are not considered to be high-speed trains.

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