Like the current Acela, the new one is a tilting train, leaning into curves so that existing lines can be used at faster speeds than normal trains, without the need to build dedicated high-speed lines. (Trains on high-speed lines are decidely faster; for example, Japan's bullet trains reach 200 mph.)
Here is a taste of what passengers between Boston and Washington can expect to see in the coming years:
Amtrak already has an advance seat reservation system on the Acela fleet. However, it's only used in first class. On the Next-Gen Acela, passengers will have to reserve their seats in advance throughout the entire train, not just in first. There will also be an open overhead luggage compartment, unlike the overhead bins on current Acelas, which resemble airplane bins.
Are you one of those flyers who just stare at the inflight map? Good news for you: the new trains will have something like it, with screens in each car displaying updated location, train speed and conductor announcements. The trains will also include a "cutting-edge" safety system that will monitor each ride in real time, Amtrak said.
Amtrak is also factoring in accessibility features into their design for people with disabilities. In the new Acelas the bathrooms will be ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)-compliant in every car, featuring a 60-inch diameter turning radius for people who use wheelchairs.
There will also be new interior safety details including seatback handles to aid customers walking through the train, grab bars for stability, gap fillers for space between the train and the platform and a smooth surface for entering and exiting the train.
