09 General requirements for high-speed rail in Vietnam

9 general requirements for high-speed rail
9 General requirements for high-speed rail (Image from the Internet)

1. What is high-speed rail?

According to Clause 10, Article 3 of the Law on Railway Transport 2017, high-speed rail is a type of electrified double-track national railway which has a speed of at least 200 km/h and a gauge of 1,435 mm.

2. General requirements for high-speed rail in Vietnam

Specifically, in Article 78 of the Law on Railway Transport 2017, the general requirements for high-speed rail are as follows:

(1) High-speed rails shall efficiently connect large urban areas, economic centers, key economic regions and other modes of transports.

(2) Uniformity, modernity, safety and natural disaster preparedness, and environmental safety must be ensured.

(3) An overall research on the entire line must be conducted and the rail must be constructed according to transport demands and capital mobilization.

(4) High-speed rail works, vehicles and equipment must satisfy technical requirements to ensure uniformity, safety, efficiency and satisfy requirements for fire safety and rescue.

(5) The ability of the management system to inspect and monitor train operation must be maintained.

(6) Land area for high-speed rail according to the planning approved by a competent authority shall have boundary marker planted under the construction planning for management and preparation for construction.

(7) The high-speed rail safety corridor must be carefully protected to prevent unauthorized access.

(8) The high-speed rail must ensure convenience for passengers and accessibility to the disabled in accordance with regulations of law.

(9) Provision of training for human resources and technology transfer must be conformable to the construction plan and satisfy requirements for management and operation.

3. Requirements for high-speed rail infrastructure in Vietnam

According to Article 80 of the Law on Railway Transport 2017, the requirements for high-speed rail infrastructure

- The high-speed rail infrastructure must ensure stability and satisfy requirements for safety, environment and fire safety corresponding to the type of high-speed rail that is being invested.

- The traction power network must be controlled and monitored in a concentrated manner, stable and readily available when needed in order not to interrupt train operation.

- Train operation management system must be operated in a centralized manner.

- Necessary information and instructions provided for passengers must be clear and understandable in Vietnamese and English.

4. Policies on development of high-speed rail in Vietnam

According to Article 79 of the Law on Railway Transport 2017, the policies on development of high-speed rail are as follows:

- The policies are specified in Article 5 of Law on Railway Transport 2017.

= Give priority to investment in sources for development, upgrade, maintenance and protection of national and urban railway infrastructure to ensure that rail transport plays a key role in national transport system.

= Encourage, assist, enable and protect rights and legitimate interests of domestic and foreign organizations and individuals involved in investment in railways and railway business.

= Provide land according to the planning to develop railway infrastructure and railway industry works.

= Encourage and assist in development of railway industry, research, apply advanced science and technology, high technology, train human resources for development of modern railways.

= Encourage and enable organizations and individuals to develop the dedicated railway system.

= Give priority to allocation of central government budget to annual and medium-term public investment plan at a reasonable rate to ensure railway infrastructure is developed according to the planning.

The Government shall submit an annual report on the implementation of policy for development of rail transport and use of state budget for investment in rail transport to the National Assembly.

- The State shall play a key role in the investment, construction, management, maintenance and operation of high-speed rail, and high-speed rail business.

- High-speed rail shall be developed so that it can connect key economic regions, thereby boosting socio-economic growth.

- High-speed rail shall be developed in a uniform and modern manner.

Thanh Rin

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