Taiwan High Speed Rail resumes normal operations after signal failure investigation

Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) announced that all its lines are operating normally today, May 26, after a signal system failure caused significant disruptions yesterday. The company confirmed that all trains are running according to schedule.

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The preliminary judgment should be caused by the power module of the "Switch Machine Control Case" (SMC) showing an abnormal situation for the first time.

The preliminary investigation suggests the failure stemmed from a power anomaly within a "Switch Machine Control Case" (SMC), a component being replaced as part of a three-year signal system upgrade project. This is reportedly the first time such a power issue has occurred with the SMC modules.

THSR has apologized to passengers for the inconvenience caused by the delays. The company stated that it has preserved equipment for further analysis and will work with the original manufacturer and a third party to determine the exact cause and responsibility. To express their apologies, THSR will offer complimentary snacks, bread, and water to passengers at all stations today.

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We will work with the original manufacturer and a third party to clarify the root cause and responsibility of the incident.

Responding to concerns about an increase in operational anomalies, THSR clarified that out of 42 incidents last year, 20 were attributed to external factors like typhoons and earthquakes. The number of incidents attributable to THSR remained consistent with the previous decade's average, with only three cases involving human error. The company emphasized its commitment to safety, noting that trains were slowed down as per standard operating procedures during the signal abnormality to ensure passenger security.

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The number of incidents attributable to THSR is consistent with the average of the past 10 years, with only 3 cases involving human factors.