China is advancing the development of high-speed railway technology with plans to support trains running at speeds up to 400 kilometers per hour, aiming to introduce its next-generation CR450 trains into large-scale service. This objective is detailed in the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) for Railway Science and Technology Innovation, released by the National Railway Administration.
The plan outlines the creation of a family of CR450 models, focusing on improvements such as reduced aerodynamic resistance, noise minimization, and optimized axle loads to meet operational demands at higher speeds. This new generation is designed to outpace the current CR400 Fuxing trains by 50 km/h. The two CR450 prototypes, unveiled in December 2024, have already undergone extensive testing. According to China State Railway Group, the national railway operator, the prototypes passed all type tests and accumulated 300,000 kilometers in operational assessments. During trials, a single CR450 train achieved speeds up to 453 km/h, and when two trains passed each other, their combined speed reached 896 km/h.
Engineering these faster trains required advances in braking systems, energy efficiency, noise control, and lightweight construction. Zhao Hongwei, chief researcher at the China Academy of Railway Sciences, noted the challenges in developing trains at this speed, citing the lack of international precedents and emphasizing the pioneering nature of the work.
The CR450 model has reduced running resistance by 22% and cut its weight by 10% compared with the CR400. The plan also includes research on increasing speeds on existing high-speed lines by adapting infrastructure systems such as power supply and signaling. However, it does not specify a timetable for the start of commercial services operating at 400 km/h.
Beyond the CR450 trains, the plan sets broader innovation targets through 2030. These include breakthroughs in at least 100 key technologies, 500 major scientific and technological achievements, and the establishment of around 30 railway industry innovation bases. Artificial intelligence (AI) features prominently, with aims to develop at least 20 high-quality industry datasets and more than 20 AI application scenarios specific to railway operations.
AI’s applications range from improving train dispatching, infrastructure maintenance, passenger services, and safety monitoring to early detection of equipment abnormalities via image analysis from trackside cameras. Upgrading the 12306 railway ticketing platform into an intelligent, end-to-end journey service is also planned.
Wang Qiming, spokesman for the National Railway Administration, highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance passenger experience by making train services smoother and more comfortable. Plans include more customized train services, expanding tourism-oriented trains for senior travelers, and maintaining public-interest "slow trains" in remote mountainous areas to serve local populations.
The plan also explores integrating drones with high-speed rail to improve last-mile freight delivery. In freight transport, authorities aim to promote the safe rail transportation of lithium battery products and encourage shifting more medium- and long-distance bulk cargo and container shipments from road to rail.
Compared to the previous five-year railway science and technology plan, this new roadmap treats fundamental research and frontier technologies as a distinct priority. The plan will be submitted to the office of the Central Science and Technology Commission for filing, marking the first inclusion of a railway technology innovation plan within the national science and technology management framework.