Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• China's high-speed railway network exceeds 50,000 km by 2025, ranking first globally, highlighting the critical need for aerodynamic research. • Aerodynamic challenges such as drag, noise, crosswind stability, and tunnel pressure fluctuations directly impact safety, efficiency, and comfort of higher-speed trains. • This special issue presents cutting-edge research across four thematic areas: open-air performance, noise mitigation, crosswind stability, and train-tunnel coupled effects. • The studies integrate high-fidelity simulations, advanced testing, and field measurements, offering practical insights for next-generation high-speed railway design.
Abstract
High-speed railway holds a pivotal position in China’s transportation system, closely intertwined with the production and daily lives of people. It serves as a critical carrier for fostering a new development paradigm, supporting high-quality growth, and building a modernized strong nation. Up to 2025, the high-speed railway operating mileage in China has exceeded 50000 km, ranking the first in the world and surpassing the combined total of high-speed railway operating mileage in all other countries. With the rapid advancement of high-speed railway technology, aerodynamics has emerged as a pivotal scientific challenge that limits the enhancements in the safety, efficiency, and comfort of high-speed trains. As train speeds continue to increase, the interactions between trains and the aerodynamic environment become increasingly complex and intense. This complexity gives rise to critical issues such as significant aerodynamic drag, aerodynamic noise, crosswind stability, and intense pressure fluctuations in tunnels, all of which directly impact the overall sustainability and operational performance of high-speed railway systems, becoming one of hot topics in the world. This special issue focuses on the topic of “Aerodynamic Characteristics of Higher-speed Trains”, showcasing cutting-edge research and technological advances in this field. The included studies are organized around four core thematic areas: aerodynamic performance in open air, mechanism and mitigation of aerodynamic noise, crosswind stability, and train/tunnel coupled aerodynamic effects. Specifically, they address topics such as aerodynamic optimization of train shapes, control of transient pressure waves in tunnels, noise reduction strategies, crosswind stability analysis, and innovative applications of computational and experimental methods in train aerodynamics. The research methodologies integrate high-fidelity numerical simulations, advanced model testing, and field measurements, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of modern aerodynamic research. The contributions in this issue not only deepen the theoretical understanding of high-speed train aerodynamics but also provide practical insights for engineering applications. By exploring novel approaches to aerodynamic design, noise mitigation, and operational safety enhancement, these studies support the development of next-generation high-speed railway systems with improved performance and sustainability. We hope this collection serves as a valuable reference for researchers and engineers engaged in high-speed railway development. It is our aspiration that the findings presented here will stimulate further innovation and contribute to the advancement of safer, more efficient, and environmentally friendly high-speed railway transportation worldwide.
1. Introduction
High-speed railway holds a pivotal position in China’s transportation system, closely intertwined with the production and daily lives of people. It serves as a critical carrier for fostering a new development paradigm, supporting high-quality growth, and building a modernized strong nation. Up to 2025, the high-speed railway operating mileage in China has exceeded 50000 km, ranking the first in the world and surpassing the combined total of high-speed railway operating mileage in all other countries.
With the rapid advancement of high-speed railway technology, aerodynamics has emerged as a pivotal scientific challenge that limits the enhancements in the safety, efficiency, and comfort of high-speed trains. As train speeds continue to increase, the interactions between trains and the aerodynamic environment become increasingly complex and intense. This complexity gives rise to critical issues such as significant aerodynamic drag, aerodynamic noise, crosswind stability, and intense pressure fluctuations in tunnels, all of which directly impact the overall sustainability and operational performance of high-speed railway systems, becoming one of hot topics in the world.
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ZHANG Jie, WANG Tian-tian, SUN Zhen-xu, ZHU Jian-yue, LI Tian, NIU Ji-qiang, CHEN Zheng-wei (2025). Preface: Aerodynamic characteristics of higher-speed trains. Journal of Central South University. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-026-6170-0
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the focus of this special issue?
The special issue focuses on 'Aerodynamic Characteristics of Higher-speed Trains', covering aerodynamic performance in open air, aerodynamic noise, crosswind stability, and train/tunnel coupled effects.
Why is aerodynamics important for high-speed trains?
Aerodynamics is crucial for high-speed trains because it affects safety, efficiency, and comfort. Key issues include aerodynamic drag, noise, crosswind stability, and pressure fluctuations in tunnels.
What research methods are used in the included studies?
The studies integrate high-fidelity numerical simulations, advanced model testing, and field measurements, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of modern aerodynamic research.
What are the practical applications of the research?
The research provides practical insights for aerodynamic design, noise mitigation, and operational safety enhancement, supporting the development of next-generation high-speed railway systems.
Who are the guest editors of this special issue?
The managing guest editor is ZHANG Jie, with co-guest editors WANG Tian-tian, SUN Zhen-xu, ZHU Jian-yue, LI Tian, NIU Ji-qiang, and CHEN Zheng-wei.
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