On May 4, to fully leverage the exemplary and leading role of outstanding youth models and to guide and inspire the broad masses of youth to continue striving in the process of achieving high-quality development in the railway sector, the National Railway Youth League Committee conferred the 23rd Railway Youth May Fourth Medal. Central South University’s Rail Transit Aerodynamics and Collision Safety Technology Innovation Team was awarded the ‘Railway Youth May Fourth Medal Collective’ honor. Only three university teams nationwide received this accolade.

It is reported that the Railway Youth May Fourth Medal is the highest honor conferred by the National Railway Youth League Committee upon outstanding youth and youth collectives within the industry. It aims to inspire youth and youth collectives to strengthen their convictions, take root at the frontline, dedicate themselves to their posts, and selflessly contribute, setting an example and establishing a benchmark for youth in the railway industry through practical actions.

Central South University’s Rail Transit Aerodynamics and Collision Safety Technology Innovation Team was established in 1994. It pioneered research directions in China’s rail transit aerodynamics and train collision dynamics, forming an innovation group led by academicians with middle-aged and young researchers as the backbone. Upholding the ‘locomotive’ spirit, the team focuses on critical challenges such as aerodynamics constraining railway development, strong winds endangering operational safety, and train collision safety. They have long worked in harsh environments like extreme cold, high altitudes, and strong wind zones, achieving numerous ‘firsts.’ Their research outcomes have been applied to China’s high-speed railways like the Beijing-Shanghai line, plateau and high-cold railways like the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, wind-prone area railways like the Lanzhou-Xinjiang line, high-speed trains like the ‘Fuxing’ series, as well as trains exported to countries including the United States and Canada. This demonstrates the youthful vigor of Central South University personnel and contributes youthful strength to the rapid development of China’s railway industry.

The team has forged a cultural belief of ‘serving the nation through science and technology, pursuing excellence,’ and cultivated a collective atmosphere characterized by ‘exceptional combat capability and exceptional dedication.’ It has been honored with awards including the First National Advanced Collective of Professional and Technical Talents, the National May 1st Labor Certificate of Merit, the Ministry of Railways Advanced Collective, the National Railway Trade Union Locomotive Award Cup, and was among the first national model Party branches for Party building work.

The School of Traffic and Transportation Engineering consistently adheres to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It cares for the growth of youth, supports the broad masses of youth in achieving success and making contributions, and unites and guides the majority of League members and youth to learn from advanced models, strengthening their ideal and conviction to closely follow the Party. In Central South University’s 2023-2024 academic year Communist Youth League May Fourth evaluation, the School’s Student Union and Graduate Student Union were awarded the honors of Excellent Student Union and Excellent Graduate Student Union, respectively. Teacher Li Ye was recognized as a Top Ten Youth, and Teacher Zhang Jian was recognized as an Excellent Full-time League Cadre.

First Review: Qiping Huang  Second Review: Shangjun Wang Third Review: Yong Peng / Yuan Li