A halted train isn't immune to derailments, however. To guard against derailments, JR East has installed L-shaped metal parts on its train cars as a countermeasure. The parts are designed to hook the cars on the rails, thus preventing them from colliding with side walls.

Yes, a bullet train can technically derail, though it is an exceptionally rare event due to advanced engineering and redundant safety systems. In Japan, the Shinkansen has operated since 1964 with a remarkable record of zero passenger fatalities due to derailments or collisions. However, rare incidents have occurred, primarily triggered by extreme natural disasters. For instance, in 2004, a Joetsu Shinkansen train derailed during the Mid-Niigata Earthquake, and in 2022, a Tohoku Shinkansen train derailed during a 7.4 magnitude quake. To prevent such events, bullet trains are equipped with Earthquake Early Warning Systems that cut power and apply emergency brakes the moment primary waves are detected. Additionally, the tracks feature "anti-derailment guards" to keep the wheels aligned even if they jump the rail. While the high speeds make the idea of a derailment terrifying, the combination of dedicated tracks without level crossings and automated speed controls makes them one of the safest forms of transportation in the world.