General
 

Why does the Czech Republic need High-Speed Lines?

High-Speed Lines will enable faster travel and time savings when travelling between cities by train. This brings along a number of other benefits for a better life in the Czech Republic. By shortening travel times, the republic will “shrink”, people will not have to move for work, economic activity will be able to move to more distant regions and the Czech Republic will be better and faster connected with neighbouring countries. High-Speed Railways is not just a transport project, but an investment in the future prosperity of the Czech Republic with a number of positive effects.

Why are we taking inspiration from France in the design and construction?

The French High-Speed Lines are very similar to the ones under construction in the Czech Republic. They are designed for high-speed passenger transport only. All this with minimal construction and operating costs. The French know-how is backed by the experience of operating TGV High-Speed trains, which have been in service for 40 years.

What is a feasibility study?

The aim of a feasibility study is to find solutions that are viable and beneficial from transport, technical, economical and ecological standpoints. The exact technical design will be specified in later stages of the design process.

Feasibility studies of VRT/HSL in the Czech Republic:

Feasibility study for VRT Praha/Prague – Brno – Břeclav (RS 1 and RS 2 legs) – completed 12/2020 – approved by the Central Commission of the Ministry of Transport (CK MD)

Feasibility study for VRT (Brno –) Přerov – Ostrava (RS 1 leg) – completed 02/2021 – approved by the Central Commission of the Ministry of Transport

Feasibility study for a new railway connection Praha/Prague – Dresden (RS 4 leg) – approved by the Central Commission of the Ministry of Transport

Feasibility study for RS 5 VRT Praha/Prague – Hradec Králové – Wrocław (RS 5 leg) – submitted to the Central Commission of the Ministry of Transport

The outcomes of the feasibility studies are the basis for the next phase of the projects.

Operation
 

What trains will run on the line?

There will be several categories. The fastest connections between large cities will be enabled by the Sprinter train with a speed of up to 320 km/h; connections to regional cities will be provided by the express; the fast train will run from the high-speed line to the conventional railway and serve cities that are not directly on the route; and the regional express will be used for fast suburban transport.

Is the Czech Republic big enough for High-Speed Railway?

High-Speed trains run in countries of comparable size to the Czech Republic, such as Belgium and Austria.  The distance between stations on High-Speed Railway is usually between 60 and 80 km.

Who will use VRT, Czech HSL?

High-Speed travelling will be available to everybody. It is not going to be a premium service, as is the case in Spain, for example. Normal express trains and express lines are expected to run at the usual price without previous check-in. The project will be deliverable and not separate from the rest of the rail network, but fully integrated into the transport system.

How long does it take for trains to reach a speed of 320 km/h?

Approximately 20 to 25 km from the start. A distance of about 7 km is required to stop. The exact distance depends on the track gradient. Higher speeds (350 km/h and more) do not significantly reduce travel times, for example on the Praha – Brno route the time savings compared to the speed of 320 km/h is only 2 to 3 minutes.

How fast do trains run abroad?

Older lines were designed for speeds of around 200 km/h, later for 250 km/h. Some have been retrofitted to higher speeds (up to 300 km/h). The lines coming into operation today have been in preparation for the last 15 to 20 years. They are often adapted for later speed increases up to 350 km/h. This is reserve capacity for the future – for a time when the economics of operation and maintenance allow such speeds and a demand arises for faster options. The same will apply the Czech Republic.

What good is HSL to me if it doesn´t have a stop in my town?

The network will connect the existing conventional network through a series of interconnections in many regions. This will allow fast trains to leave the High-Speed Line and service the area and then perhaps return to it again. 

How much will it cost and who will pay for it? Is it worth it?

The final price of the entire project has not yet been set. European funds will contribute to the financing, as well as what is known as Public-Private Partnership – financial cooperation between the state and the private sector.

How much will the fare cost?

Fares should be equivalent to those on conventional lines. There is no reason for them to be higher. It is up to the individual carrier how they set their fares. Trains will not be operated by Správa železnic, but by carriers.

Why don´t you fix the existing lines instead?

In order for the high-speed transport system to be fully operational and for HSL to reach its full potential, it must reach speeds of 320 km/h. What is needed is a relatively “straight” line, which existing lines with all of their sharp bends do not allow.

How will maintenance be carried out?

The high-speed lines will be maintained during the operational break, which will last through the night. Vehicle access points will lead to the track for maintenance, servicing and repair of the technology. Správa železnic will provide a maintenance base with facilities for workers and machines for roughly every 100 kilometres of the high-speed line.

What  does the line look like in real life, won´t be a concrete monster?

The high-speed line is no different than any regular line. Its width (tracks, ballast and power lines) is similar to the width of conventional double-track railway lines – about 14 m. It is very similar to a conventional motorway. If the line is in a cutting or on an embankment, ditches and slopes or other (usually green) areas must be added.

When will the land purchases along the planned route start?

Správa železnic may initiate the purchase of affected land on the basis of a final planning decision on the location of the construction, which will precisely define the route and determine the land needed for realising construction. Although there may be situations where it would be possible or appropriate to buy out land whose use is no longer in doubt earlier, such a procedure is not possible for a state investor. The feasibility study does not have sufficient accuracy to identify the affected land or properties.

Impact on the Landscape
 

How will the high-speed line affect the surrounding landscape and what impact will it have on landscape permeability?

High-speed trains mean minimal impact on the landscape. The overhead contact lines (wires) will be similar in height to today's lines and will not exceed the height of mature trees. The cuttings, embankments and earthworks around the line will be covered with foliage. We will preserve roads, pavements, local paths, watercourses and wildlife migration corridors. They will run under or over the track. Rainwater from the track will be drained naturally into the landscape.

How are xou going to prevent collision with wildlife ?

The high-speed line will be fenced along its entire length, so collisions with wildlife should be completely avoided. Fencing is also a common feature around High-Speed lines abroad. There will be no level crossings, only off-grade crossings (underpasses or overpasses). We design ecoducts for animal migration.  

Noise
 

How noisy will the High-Speed train be?

The noise on the high-speed line is short-lived and is mainly aerodynamic noise, which occurs at speeds above 200 km/h. Natural noise attenuation occurs when the line is laid in cuttings. However, this is not always possible, for example because of the water table. As part of the project it is possible to prepare noise-protection measures – walls or embankments.

How different is motorway noise from High-Speed train noise?

The noise from a busy road is continuous, more constant. The passage of atrain is short-lived, lasting a few seconds, but repeats every several minutes.

What is a noise study?

A noise study will be prepared as part of the documentation for the environmental impact assessment (EIA). It documents compliance with applicable noise limits. It also determines the extent of noise-protection measures at locations where the free propagation of noise could cause the relevant limits to be exceeded.