"COMTRAC" is the brain of the Tokaido Shinkansen, which operates 320 trains a day and carries 460,000 passengers. For the first time, our camera has entered the equipment room, which is off-limits except during work hours. We'll take a look at the ultra-scrupulous system that keeps the train running on schedule. ■COMTRAC, the brain of the Tokaido ShinkansenAt 6:00 a.m., the Tokaido Shinkansen "Nozomi" departed from Tokyo Station exactly on schedule. This room manages the operation of the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen, which operates approximately 320 trains a day and carries approximately 460,000 passengers. The average delay time per train is only 12 seconds. What supports this precise operation is...JR Central Electric Department System Division Manager Hamabata Hitomi: "This is the equipment room that houses COMTRAC (the Shinkansen operation system), the "brain" that runs the Shinkansen." For the first time, our camera has entered the "brain" of the Shinkansen, which is strictly controlled. Hitomi Hamabata, section chief: "This is the computer that really runs the Shinkansen. No one is allowed in here except for work." A yellow warning tape is wrapped around the white locker-like case. This device, called "COMTRAC," processes information related to the operation of the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen. Hitomi Hamabata, the first woman to become the manager of COMTRAC at JR Central, is in charge of development and maintenance. Hitomi Hamabata, section chief: "We control the train's route so that it moves according to the timetable, telling it that it's OK for the train to depart and that it should stop at this station." For example, at Tokyo Station, Shinkansen trains enter and exit about every three minutes at peak times. COMTRAC automatically controls the inbound and outbound trains so that they do not block each other's routes. Hitomi Hamabata, section chief: "This is an information processing computer called EDP that creates the timetable." In addition, it calculates the acceleration of the Shinkansen and predicts the arrival time at the station, and manages the creation of the timetable. This is the "diagram" of the Tokaido Shinkansen for one day when it opened in 1964. Each line represents one train, and in those days, the timetable was created by hand. Now, however, the timetable is filled with countless lines. As the number of trains increases, timetable management by Comtrack has become indispensable. The "brain" of this Shinkansen is scheduled for a major system update in October this year, and a test was conducted after the last train on this day. Manager Hamabata Hitomi: "It's a tense job, so please do it as you normally would." In this update, the functions that were concentrated in one machine will be divided into multiple machines, aiming to diversify risk. First, the system in use was stopped to switch to the system under development. Manager Hamabata Hitomi: "Right now, this is red, so it will only turn green when we connect this computer to the new computer we're running over there." A little after 1 a.m. Manager Hamabata Hitomi: "We've started starting up the machine for the confirmation test." During the test, an alarm indicating an abnormality was issued. Hamabata Hitomi, section chief: "I wonder where it's stuck, that's annoying." 10 minutes later... "The transmission has been restored." The test ended without a hitch. Countless efforts support the "on-time operation" that is the norm. ■ Shinkansen "delay countermeasures" To introduce a cutting-edge new system While "COMTRAC" is managing a high-density train timetable, what kind of delay countermeasures are being taken? Let's take a closer look. Kumazaki Fuuto, anchor: The Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen operates about 320 trains a day, and the Tokaido Shinkansen is currently in the process of introducing a new operation system. Let's compare the current situation with the latest one. <Current situation>▼When an arriving train is delayed, switching of points and other things occurs, so departing trains also wait → This has an impact on subsequent trains, and the number of delayed trains continues to increase <Latest>▼To avoid congestion, departing trains are given "priority" → By suppressing delays of multiple trains, overall damage is reduced This will become the "new route control system" that will not prolong delays, and this has already changed. Caster Horan Chiaki: So it was set up so that even if there was a delay, other trains would not be delayed. Caster Kumazaki: In fact, it has already been switched over. What does this update mean for working drivers? We asked a former Shinkansen driver on staff. Former Shinkansen driver NEWS23 Fukuoka producer "The mission of today's railway companies is to reduce the occurrence of delays as much as possible. If the operation system is revised to reduce the disruption of the schedule, drivers can concentrate on safe operation." ■ Board the Tokaido Shinkansen from Shin-Yokohama Station? Will the opening of a new line become a new norm? In March, railway companies will revise their timetables. Let's take a look at which trains will become more convenient and how. Kumazaki Caster: On March 18, the Sotetsu Line and Tokyu Toyoko Line in Kanagawa Prefecture will be mutually connected. How will this make things more convenient? The Sotetsu Shin-Yokohama Line and the Tokyu Shin-Yokohama Line will be connected, making it easier to get to Shibuya. Until now, you had to transfer to the Tokyu Toyoko Line in Yokohama to go to Shibuya, but now you don't need to transfer. In addition, the Sotetsu Tokyu Shin-Yokohama Line... 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