JR East to Introduce New Dedicated Shinkansen Inspection Train for Safer, More Secure High-Speed Transportation

〇 JR East Group is advancing the development of a new dedicated Shinkansen inspection train utilizing advanced technologies such as AI, aiming to realize safer and more secure transportation services as part of its group management vision 'Yuso 2034,' which emphasizes the pursuit of ultimate safety in the mobility sector.

〇 The company will newly develop and install two key systems: one that estimates the forces acting between wheels and rails for preventive track maintenance, and another equipped with cameras to capture images of the front and surrounding areas of the inspection train, enabling accurate monitoring of equipment conditions and changes in the沿线 environment. Conducting inspections at a maximum speed of 320 km/h using these systems will be a first in Japan.

〇 The design (color scheme) and nickname for the new inspection train have been finalized.

Overview

A new inspection train with enhanced functionality through higher speeds and the integration of new technologies will be introduced, surpassing the current model.

(1) Vehicle type (formation): E927 series (7-car formation)

(2) Target inspection start date: Fiscal 2029

(3) Inspection areas within our network: Tohoku, Joetsu, Hokuriku, Yamagata, and Akita Shinkansen lines

(4) Maximum speed: 320 km/h

2. Newly Developed Inspection Equipment

(1) PQ Estimation System※ (Technology to estimate forces acting between wheels and rails)

This technology involves installing multiple sensors on bogies to measure movements such as vibrations and tilting, thereby estimating the forces acting between wheels and rails. Incorporating this data into track condition assessments allows for clearer identification of maintenance needs and priorities, enabling more effective preventive maintenance and enhanced safety levels.

[Equipment Configuration] [Measuring bogie movements using multiple sensors]

Figure 2: Concept of effective preventive maintenance using the PQ estimation system

※ Developed by the Railway Technical Research Institute (RTRI), a public-interest foundation. Currently under development for practical application at our R&D Center.

PQ refers to the forces acting between wheels and rails, with vertical force denoted as P (wheel load) and lateral force as Q (lateral pressure).

(2) Shinkansen Onboard Imaging System (provisional name)

Equipped with 48 high-definition cameras installed at the front ends of cars 1 and 7, and on the sides and ceilings of car 3, this system continuously captures detailed images to accurately record the condition of equipment and the沿线 environment. This enables more efficient inspections through comparison with previous data and better identification of沿线 elements—such as trees—that could potentially disrupt train operations.

Going forward, development will continue toward introducing AI-based automatic detection and extraction for image analysis.

Figure 3: Overview of the Shinkansen Onboard Imaging System (provisional name)

3. Future Plans

We will continue to utilize AI and DX technologies to achieve safer and more secure high-speed transportation services. Additionally, we aim to respond to high-speed inspections at 320 km/h by advancing labor-saving measures and realizing remote, unmanned inspections.

4. Design (Color Scheme) and Nickname

The design and nickname have been selected from submissions by JR East Group employees.

The employee who proposed the design will collaborate with tangerine—the company responsible for the E10 series design—to finalize detailed aspects of the actual train's design by around autumn 2026. Consideration for the nickname, including logo development, will also proceed.