Artificial Intelligence to run world's largest high-speed rail network in China

Engineers involved in China’s high-speed rail network have reported significant advancements in the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, according to a recent peer-reviewed paper published in the academic journal China Railway.

The AI system, located in Beijing, is actively processing extensive real-time data from across the country’s 45,000km (28,000-mile) high-speed rail network. This system can promptly alert maintenance teams of any abnormal situations within 40 minutes, boasting an impressive accuracy rate of 95 per cent.

Niu Daoan, a senior engineer at the China State Railway Group’s infrastructure inspection centre, mentioned in the paper the critical role of AI in facilitating quick on-site reinspections and repairs.

More from World

This Week in Explainers: How recovering from Gen-Z protests is a Himalayan task for Nepal Zohran Mamdani says he would arrest Netanyahu if he is elected as NYC mayor, calls Israeli PM 'war criminal'

Notably, in the past year, none of China’s operational high-speed railway lines received warnings necessitating speed reduction due to major track irregularities, while minor track faults decreased by 80 per cent compared to the previous year.

Furthermore, the application of AI technology has led to a reduction in the amplitude of rail movement caused by strong winds, even on massive valley-spanning bridges. This predictive capability enables precise and timely maintenance, ensuring that high-speed rail infrastructure remains in optimal condition.

The extensive data generated by sensors embedded in the high-speed rail infrastructure has propelled China to adopt cutting-edge technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence, as outlined in the paper.

Impact Shorts

More Shorts

‘The cries of this widow will echo’: In first public remarks, Erika Kirk warns Charlie’s killers they’ve ‘unleashed a fire’

Trump urges Nato to back sanctions on Russia, calls for 50–100% tariffs on China

As per reports, these technologies enable more precise assessments and scientific evaluations of infrastructure service status.

The successful integration of AI in China’s high-speed rail network has addressed challenges in risk perception, equipment evaluation, and trend predictions, providing scientific support for proactive safety measures and precise infrastructure maintenance.

Despite initial concerns about maintenance burdens as the high-speed rail network expanded, China has demonstrated its ability to effectively manage and maintain the world’s fastest rail network, which operates at speeds of up to 350km/h (217mph), with plans for further acceleration to 400km/hr (249mph) in the near future.

However, the engineers have identified a potential challenge stemming from demographic changes, with a projected decrease in the number of maintenance workers compared to current levels. Nonetheless, the application of AI presents an opportunity for high-speed rail health management.

While the AI technology gap between China and the US may appear to be widening, some observers suggest that there may be Chinese breakthroughs in critical areas, despite US government sanctions limiting access to advanced AI chips.