Front end of Bullet train, the world’s fastest train, is always shaped like a bird beak due to…

Known for their sleek design and efficiency, Bullet trains are quickly becoming the future of connected travel. These high-speed rail systems are designed to travel at exceptionally fast speeds, often exceeding 300 km/h. However, the most striking feature of the bullet train is not its speed but its front end, which is designed to resemble the beak of a bird. Well, this design comes from Japanese engineer Eiji Nakatsu and a bird, the kingfisher.

In the 1990s, Japan’s Shinkansen bullet trains reached such high speeds that when they emerged from tunnels, the sudden change in air pressure caused a loud sound known as the “tunnel boom,” which was similar to a powerful explosion. The sound was similar to an explosion, scaring people and causing discomfort for passengers inside the train.

Front end of Bullet train, the world’s fastest train, is always shaped like a bird beak due to…

According to an Aaj Tak report, one day, Eiji Nakatsu watched a kingfisher dive into water from the air, doing so silently and without creating any splashes. This made Nakatsu realize the incredible engineering found in nature. The report further mentioned that the application of the kingfisher’s beak design not only improved the train’s aerodynamics but also enhanced its fuel efficiency, allowing it to travel faster while using less energy. This innovation played an important role in transforming the bullet train into a quieter and more efficient mode of transportation.

Well, the science behind this is aerodynamics, which studies the motion of objects through the air and the impact of air on them. It explains how airplanes, cars, and birds move effortlessly through the air by minimizing air resistance. The report further mentioned that Japan’s ALFA-X bullet train has a front section that is approximately 22 meters long, about the length of a full bus. However, the root of this entire design idea lies in the beak of the kingfisher.

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