AGC’s Safety Glass installed in all vehicles of the new Hokuriku Shinkansen Line in Japan

Asahi Glass’s safety glass for railroad cars is installed in all vehicles of the new Hokuriku Shinkansen Line, which started operation in Japan on March 14, 2015. In addition to the safety glass, all other glass components used in the vehicles have also been supplied by AGC. AGC’s glass used for the windshield at the driver’s cabin ensures high visibility while achieving a streamlined, stylish design; the window glass of train cars has high thermal- and sound-insulating properties, offering a safe and comfortable ride for passengers. Glass used for front lamp covers, glass for destination display boards, and interior glass are also the products of AGC.

The newly opened section of the line has many tunnels because of high altitudes and rugged topography. Shinkansen vehicles travel at high speeds that peak at 260 kilometers an hour in very severe weather conditions during winter. Therefore, various functions, including safety, as well as high levels of sound- and thermal-insulating properties, are required of the window glass of the Shinkansen. AGC has 50 years of experience of safety glass for high-speed railways, including Shinkansen bullet trains.