When trains travel on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, at an average altitude of over 4,000 meters, they have special difficulties to deal with-low air pressure, insufficient oxygen, large fluctuations in temperature from day to night, strong ultraviolet radiation, frequent lightning storms, sandstorms and snowstorms, and the need to protect the vulnerable natural environment of the plateau. No transit system in the world has faced more challenges.
A number of measures have been taken to avoid mishaps. Every train is equipped with two sets of oxygen supply systems; anti-lightning protection has been installed; windows are coated to reduce ultraviolet radiation; double-layered glass has been installed; special pressure adjustment valves are implanted in the air conditioning system to maintain air pressure in the cars; sand filtration equipment is included in the air conditioning system, and garbage compressors and sewage collectors have been installed. The noteworthy thing is that every key system has an emergency backup.
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