Identifying Technological Innovation Capability of High-Speed Rail Industry Based on Patent Analysis

This paper explores technological innovation capability (TIC) in the field of high speed rail (HSR). In recent years, identifying technological innovation subjects with high TIC in the field of HSR has gained growing attention from both public and private sector entities. However, few attempts have been made to identify TIC of this field by employing patent information. The patent information related to HSR technology were retrieved from INNOGRAPHY, a professional IP intelligence database. Based on high strength patents, the TIC of HSR industry were invested from perspectives of number of patents among nations, competition position of top assignees., and top assignees in three key branch technologies. The results show that China is the most active patent filing country in the HSR technology field, followed by the U.S., Germany and Japan. Hitachi., Ltd from Japan is the most important competitor in the HSR industry with higher TIC, followed by CSR Corporation Limited., China Railway Group Limited., and Alstom SA. Regarding to three key branch technologies in the HSR industry., China is still the leader, especially in traction technology and braking technology, while Germany has higher TIC in the field of bogie technology. CSR Corporation Limited has comprehensive patent layout in these three branch technologies, followed by Siemens AG, Alstom SA, and Jinan Railway Vehicles Equipment Co Ltd. This paper offers valuable contribution to the understanding of TIC in HSR industry, and can be employed to various other emerging technology fields.