The Japan Railway (JR) Shinkansen N700S generally outperforms the Amtrak Acela in terms of speed, capacity, punctuality, safety, and environmental impact. However, the Amtrak Acela offers a higher frequency of service and specific pricing information for certain routes. The Shinkansen is known for its comfort and accessibility, while the Acela faces some criticisms regarding cleanliness.
| Attribute | Japan Railway (JR) Shinkansen N700S | Amtrak Acela |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Speed (km/h) | 362 (tested up to 360), limited to 285 on Tokaido Shinkansen and 300 on Sanyo Shinkansen | 240 |
| Average Delay Time (minutes) | 1.6 | Not available |
| Seating Capacity | 1,323 (including 200 in Green Car), some sources state 1,314 | 304 (current), 378 (new Avelia Liberty trainsets) |
| Frequency of Service (trains per day) | 372 | 940 |
| Ticket Pricing (average fare) | Varies depending on the season and duration of travel | Washington D.C. - New York ($69), Boston - New York ($59), and New York - Providence ($49) |
| Onboard Amenities (Wi-Fi, power outlets) | Onboard Wi-Fi and power outlets at every seat | Free Wi-Fi, power outlets at every seat, café car |
| Seat Comfort (legroom, seat width) | Designed for comfort, especially on long journeys. Green Car seats have increased space. | Business class: 53 cm (21 inches) wide, First Class: 58 cm (23 inches) wide, pitch of roughly 107 cm (42 inches) |
| Luggage Storage Capacity | Overhead racks can accommodate baggage with total dimensions up to 160 cm. Options for reserving seats with oversized baggage areas. | Overhead compartments or underneath the seats, up to four bags |
| Accessibility Features (wheelchair access, restrooms) | Wheelchair spaces and multi-functional, wheelchair-accessible toilets. New trains from 2021 have six wheelchair spaces. | Wheelchair accessible, accessible restrooms. New trains will have wider aisles, integrated accessible seating, and accessible café cars. |
| Route Coverage (number of destinations) | Tokaido Shinkansen (Tokyo to Shin-Osaka), Sanyo Shinkansen (Shin-Osaka to Fukuoka), and Kyushu Shinkansen (Fukuoka to Kagoshima) lines | 13 intermediate stops between Washington, D.C. and Boston |
| Environmental Impact (carbon emissions) | Consumes approximately one-eighth of the energy per seat and discharges about one-twelfth of the CO2 emissions compared to an aircraft for the Tokyo to Osaka route. Uses 7% less power than the N700A. | Not available |
| Safety Record (accidents per year) | No accidents resulting in passenger fatalities or injuries since operations commenced. | Not available |