Change is more than just technology
- Source: Global Times
- [01:58 February 05 2010]
- Comments
By Peng Kuang
The construction of the new Wuhan- Guangzhou high-speed railway took only four and half years, but the maintenance work is expected to go on for 100 years. How to properly operate the line in present-day and future China should be more important than how to create it.
The Wuhan-Guangzhou high-speed railway was reported to have run into trouble again Thursday. Train G1002 was delayed for two hours near Changsha city.
More than 1,000 passengers were trapped in the confined space and could not go outside during those two hours for security reasons. For his child to get a breath of fresh air, a father broke the window in his carriage.
This is the third time that operational problems occurred in this high-speed train. Just five days after its maiden run, smoking by some passengers resulted in a delay of two and a half hours.
Last month, due to technical problems, train G6008 was held up for 40 minutes.
The 1,069-kilometer Wuhan- Guangzhou line is the longest high-speed rail line in operation. The building of this railway is a great achievement for China’s railway engineering.
But, completing construction is not the end of development. To make the most of the hard work that has gone into it, we should ensure that there is a suitable operational system.
In the past 30 years, there have been massive constructions in China. Chinese who return to their hometowns after a year or two are shocked by the changes in their absence.
But, such rapid development also raises the question: Are they working properly to meet people’s need?
The people who take the train intend to make use of its high speed. They expect to hurry up for a business meeting, or reunion with their families.
Punctual running of trains is a prerequisite for people to discharge their obligations on time.
Punctuality of trains is not the responsibility of those who built it. A good operational environment has to be maintained by all concerned including passengers.
The speed of train is about 350 kilometers per hour, which means even a bird hit could affect the train. These are products of high-end technology and they come up with strict operational demands.
Chinese people do not seem well prepared for such rapid changes and high technology. The fact that the train faced trouble on three occasions in such a short period shows that the new system is still within the breaking-in period.
The development of China depends to a large extent on high-speed mass transportation. We have to keep preparing for further high-end research and more project constructions.
The coordinated operation of these systems and compatibility between new and old operational methods need to be carefully examined.
