One of the most important issues in Shinkansen high-speed operation is current collection performance. The installation accuracy of overhead contact lines has a considerable influence on the contact force fluctuation between overhead contact lines and the pantograph. However, there are no concrete installation guidelines for putting into place overhead contact lines specifying the acceptable range of installation errors. This paper proposes a procedure for establishing installation guidelines, which are derived from the results of dynamic simulation based on the state of actual installations. Construction guidelines compiled in accordance with the above mentioned approach are therefore set out herein for Shinkansen operations at 300 or 320 km/h. Installation error indices and guideline ranges are also introduced. It is hoped that the installation guidelines will contribute to an improvement in performance, reliability, safety and maintenance efficiency of overhead contact lines.