Why did Malaysia choose international standard gauge instead of meter gauge? 🤔
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The meter gauge and standard gauge of high-speed rail are mainly different in track gauge (the distance between two rails):
1. Meter Gauge
- The track gauge is 1000 millimeters (1 meter), so it is called meter gauge.
- Meter gauge is mostly used in light rail or non-high-speed rail systems in some regions. Because of the narrow track gauge, it usually cannot carry high-speed and heavy-loaded trains, and is suitable for use in rugged terrain or areas with lower cost.
2. Standard Gauge
- The track gauge is 1435 millimeters (1.435 meters), which is the standard gauge widely used worldwide, especially in high-speed rail and heavy rail systems.
- Standard gauge can support the operation of trains with higher speed and greater load, especially suitable for high-speed rail systems. The stability and technical support of standard gauge are more mature, so it is the most common choice in modern high-speed rail projects.
Why did Malaysia decide to use international track?
When planning high-speed rail projects in Malaysia, such as the Malaysia-Singapore high-speed rail, there are several reasons for choosing international track.
1. Speed and carrying capacity
International track is more suitable for high-speed and heavy-load train operations, providing a smooth experience for high-speed running. Narrow-gauge track is not suitable for high-speed travel, so international track is the preferred choice for high-speed rail.
2. International standard interoperability
As the standard for global railroads, international track is easier to connect with rail systems in other countries, especially in regional cooperation or international transportation projects (such as the Malaysia-Singapore high-speed rail). Using international track can facilitate cross-border train operations, enhance logistics efficiency, and promote connectivity.
3. Technological maturity
International track has been widely used in high-speed rail systems worldwide, with mature technology and more suppliers and technical support. Choosing international track can reduce technical risks for the project and ensure smooth construction and operation.
4. Long-term Planning and Future Expansion
International gauge adoption is not only applicable to current high-speed rail projects, but also lays the foundation for future railway project expansions, including integration with other regional railway networks.
The following are the railway gauges currently used in Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, and China:
1. [Laos]
- Meter gauge (1000 millimeters): The traditional railway in Laos uses meter gauge, especially on the railway lines connected to Thailand.
- International gauge (1435 millimeters): The China-Laos Railway, constructed through cooperation between Laos and China, uses the international gauge. This railway connects Kunming and the capital city of Laos, Vientiane. It is a high-speed railway suitable for international freight and passenger transportation.
2. [Cambodia]
- Meter gauge (1000 millimeters): Cambodia's existing railway system primarily uses meter gauge, connecting its major cities domestically and linking to the railway in Thailand.
- 目前柬埔寨尚无国际轨铁路，但未来可能会考虑与地区的国际铁路网络接轨。
3. 【泰国】
- 米轨（1000毫米）：泰国的传统铁路大多采用米轨，并与周边国家（如柬埔寨、老挝、缅甸等）连接。
- 国际轨（1435毫米）：泰国近年来在建设新高铁项目时，如曼谷-廊开（通往老挝的中泰铁路）和曼谷-芭提雅（东部经济走廊高铁），采用的是国际轨，以支持高速铁路和国际运输。
4. 【越南】
- 米轨（1000毫米）：越南现有的铁路系统大部分是米轨，包括贯穿全国的南北铁路（从河内到胡志明市）。
- 混合轨距：部分路段为了适应跨境运输，越南在某些铁路线上铺设了混合轨距（双轨：米轨和国际轨并存），以便与中国的国际轨铁路接轨。
- 越南也有计划建设高速铁路（如南北高速铁路项目），这将采用国际轨。
5. [China]
- International Gauge (1435mm): The vast majority of railroads in China, including high-speed rail and regular rail, use the international gauge (standard track gauge). China has the world's largest high-speed rail network, all using the international gauge.
- Other Gauges: In some minority areas in China, such as Yunnan, Tibet, etc., there are a few narrow gauge railroads, but these are not suitable for high-speed or international transportation.
【Summary】
- [Meter Gauge] Mainly used in traditional railroads in Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam, suitable for medium and low-speed freight and passenger transportation.
- [International Gauge] Widely utilized in China, and gradually promoted in new railroad projects in Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam, especially for high-speed rail and international transportation projects.
The meter gauge and standard gauge of high-speed rail are mainly different in track gauge (the distance between two rails):
1. Meter Gauge
- The track gauge is 1000 millimeters (1 meter), so it is called meter gauge.
- Meter gauge is mostly used in light rail or non-high-speed rail systems in some regions. Because of the narrow track gauge, it usually cannot carry high-speed and heavy-loaded trains, and is suitable for use in rugged terrain or areas with lower cost.
2. Standard Gauge
- The track gauge is 1435 millimeters (1.435 meters), which is the standard gauge widely used worldwide, especially in high-speed rail and heavy rail systems.
- Standard gauge can support the operation of trains with higher speed and greater load, especially suitable for high-speed rail systems. The stability and technical support of standard gauge are more mature, so it is the most common choice in modern high-speed rail projects.
Why did Malaysia decide to use international track?
When planning high-speed rail projects in Malaysia, such as the Malaysia-Singapore high-speed rail, there are several reasons for choosing international track.
1. Speed and carrying capacity
International track is more suitable for high-speed and heavy-load train operations, providing a smooth experience for high-speed running. Narrow-gauge track is not suitable for high-speed travel, so international track is the preferred choice for high-speed rail.
2. International standard interoperability
As the standard for global railroads, international track is easier to connect with rail systems in other countries, especially in regional cooperation or international transportation projects (such as the Malaysia-Singapore high-speed rail). Using international track can facilitate cross-border train operations, enhance logistics efficiency, and promote connectivity.
3. Technological maturity
International track has been widely used in high-speed rail systems worldwide, with mature technology and more suppliers and technical support. Choosing international track can reduce technical risks for the project and ensure smooth construction and operation.
4. Long-term Planning and Future Expansion
International gauge adoption is not only applicable to current high-speed rail projects, but also lays the foundation for future railway project expansions, including integration with other regional railway networks.
The following are the railway gauges currently used in Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, and China:
1. [Laos]
- Meter gauge (1000 millimeters): The traditional railway in Laos uses meter gauge, especially on the railway lines connected to Thailand.
- International gauge (1435 millimeters): The China-Laos Railway, constructed through cooperation between Laos and China, uses the international gauge. This railway connects Kunming and the capital city of Laos, Vientiane. It is a high-speed railway suitable for international freight and passenger transportation.
2. [Cambodia]
- Meter gauge (1000 millimeters): Cambodia's existing railway system primarily uses meter gauge, connecting its major cities domestically and linking to the railway in Thailand.
- 目前柬埔寨尚无国际轨铁路，但未来可能会考虑与地区的国际铁路网络接轨。
3. 【泰国】
- 米轨（1000毫米）：泰国的传统铁路大多采用米轨，并与周边国家（如柬埔寨、老挝、缅甸等）连接。
- 国际轨（1435毫米）：泰国近年来在建设新高铁项目时，如曼谷-廊开（通往老挝的中泰铁路）和曼谷-芭提雅（东部经济走廊高铁），采用的是国际轨，以支持高速铁路和国际运输。
4. 【越南】
- 米轨（1000毫米）：越南现有的铁路系统大部分是米轨，包括贯穿全国的南北铁路（从河内到胡志明市）。
- 混合轨距：部分路段为了适应跨境运输，越南在某些铁路线上铺设了混合轨距（双轨：米轨和国际轨并存），以便与中国的国际轨铁路接轨。
- 越南也有计划建设高速铁路（如南北高速铁路项目），这将采用国际轨。
5. [China]
- International Gauge (1435mm): The vast majority of railroads in China, including high-speed rail and regular rail, use the international gauge (standard track gauge). China has the world's largest high-speed rail network, all using the international gauge.
- Other Gauges: In some minority areas in China, such as Yunnan, Tibet, etc., there are a few narrow gauge railroads, but these are not suitable for high-speed or international transportation.
【Summary】
- [Meter Gauge] Mainly used in traditional railroads in Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam, suitable for medium and low-speed freight and passenger transportation.
- [International Gauge] Widely utilized in China, and gradually promoted in new railroad projects in Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam, especially for high-speed rail and international transportation projects.
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Alice Lim choo :
3318009 Alice Lim choo : Do you already know which builder got this project?