Japanese Railways: research and development

The main directions of scientific and applied work carried out for the railways of Japan, the tasks facing the country’s railway transport, as well as the main guidelines of the new five-year plan for scientific research of the Scientific Research Railway Institute of Japan developed in Japan are investigated. Much attention is paid to digitalization as a key problem in the development of the country’s railways in the near and long term. The objects of digitalization on the railways of Japan are presented. The main scientific research for the Japanese railways is carried out by the Research Institute of Railway Transport (RTRI), whose researchers are united in 17 departments and, in addition to deep theoretical research, have a powerful and developed experimental base consisting of four test centers. RTRI’s objectives are to intensify research and development work to improve rail safety, technology and operations, taking into account customer needs and social change; developing professional knowledge in all aspects of railways to meet the challenges faced by railways, using advanced scientific knowledge; mastering advanced technologies in relation to the needs of Japanese railways and reaching a leading position in the world. The primary principles of RTRI research activities for the coming period are considered.