To apply a metal impregnated carbon material to the pantograph contact strip of Shinkansen vehicles, the authors have tested a metal impregnated carbon contact strip on an actual Shinkansen vehicle, measured its wear performance and confirmed that the contact strip could be put in use. The authors have also developed a system to detect the damage of carbon contact strip during operation. The system detects the damage of the strip by sensing the air pressure drop in the pipe in the strip or by sensing the disconnection of the optical fibre cable laid around the strip.