As of December 24, 2023, the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Railway has transported over one million passengers. In Tianjin, China, thousands of miles away, Zhao Dou, Deputy Chief Engineer of CR, reflects on his thoughts. Over the past eight years, he and his team have transformed numerous blueprints into reality, marking the first overseas implementation of the entire system, all elements, and the entire industry chain of Chinese high speed railway.
Railway design poses significant challenges. Designers must taking into account various factors, such as the natural environment and economic and social development, to find optimal solutions within multiple constraints.
In 2015, Zhao Dou led his team to complete the feasibility study for the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Railway. Subsequently, he supervised the survey, design, and practical research for the railway, tailoring technical solutions.
Indonesia faces high seismic intensity due to earthquakes, with regional subsidence and unique characteristics such as volcanic soil with high porosity and moisture content. From engineering technical solutions to seismic resistance technology, from train selection to maintenance models, various specific factors converged in Zhao Dou’s mind. Over 40 research topics were launched, resulting in a design proposal that adheres to Chinese standards while meeting local conditions and presenting a highly competitive solution.
Following this, Zhao Dou led his team to develop a simply supported girder suitable for the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Railway, optimizing bridge structures and pier dimensions. As the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Railway became the first high speed railway in Southeast Asia, the design team led by Zhao Dou, through their actions, has burnished the image of high speed railways as a “national name card” of China.
