the shinkansen is a triumph of systems engineering

The Shinkansen opened in 1964. It has carried over ten billion passengers. There has never been a fatality from a derailment or collision. Not one.

The tracks are grade-separated. No level crossings. The signaling system enforces spacing that leaves no room for human error. Seismometers placed along the coast detect earthquakes and stop trains before the shaking arrives. The average delay across the entire network is under one minute, including weather and equipment and passengers.

The nose shape reduces tunnel boom at three hundred kilometers per hour. Active suspension cancels vibration. The pantograph maintains contact with overhead wire at speed. Every component was designed by someone who understood that reliability is not a feature to add later. It is the thing you are building.