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Hyperloop Transportation Technology

ICT AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS IN TRANSPORTATION

What is Hyperloop?

Hyperloop is a new form of ground transport currently in development by a number of companies, It could see passengers travelling at over 700 miles an hour in floating pod which races along inside giant low-pressure tubes, either above or below ground.

What makes Hyperloop different?

There are two big differences between Hyperloop and traditional rail. Firstly, the pods carrying passengers travel through tubes or tunnels from which most of the air has been removed to reduce friction. This should allow the pods to travel at up to 750 miles per hour.

Secondly, rather than using wheels like a train or car, the pods are designed to float on air skis, using the same basic idea as an air hockey table, or use magnetic levitation to reduce friction.

Video showing a real Hyperloop.

Hyperloop 2

How Elon Musk's 700 MPH Hyperloop Concept Could Become The Fastest Way To Travel

tubes
pods
terminals.

The tube is a large sealed, low-pressure system (usually a long tunnel).

The pod is a coach pressurized at atmospheric pressure that runs substantially free of air resistance or friction inside this tube, using aerodynamic or magnetic propulsion.

The terminal handles pod arrivals and departures. The Hyperloop, in the initial form proposed by Musk, differs from vactrains by relying on residual air pressure inside the tube to provide lift by aerofoils and propulsion by fans.

Concept art of Hyperloop inner workings

The hyperloop has its roots in a concept by George Medhurst in 1799 and subsequently developed under the names pneumatic railway, atmospheric railway or vactrain. Elon Musk renewed interest in hyperloop after mentioning it in a 2012 speaking event. Musk further promoted the concept by publishing a white paper in August 2013, which conceived of a hyperloop route running from the Los Angeles region to the San Francisco Bay Area, roughly following the Interstate 5 corridor. His initial concept incorporated reduced-pressure tubes in which pressurized capsules ride on air bearings driven by linear induction motors and axial compressors. Transportation analysts challenged the cost estimates included in the white paper, with some predicting that a realized hyperloop would be several billion dollars over budget.

The hyperloop concept has been "open-sourced" by Musk and SpaceX, and other companies or organizations have been encouraged to freely advance the technology, preferably in collaborations. Technical University of Munich Hyperloop set the hyperloop speed record of 463 km/h (288 mph) in July 2019 at the pod design competition hosted by SpaceX in Hawthorne, California. Virgin Hyperloop conducted the first human trial in November 2020 at its test site in Las Vegas, reaching a top speed of 172 km/h (108 mps).

Definition

What is Hyperloop?

A Hyperloop is a proposed high-speed transportation system for both public and goods transport.The term was coined by Elon Musk to describe the modern open-source project derived from the vactrain concept.Hyperloop designs employ three essential components: tubes, pods, and terminals.The tube is a large sealed, low-pressure system (usually a long tunnel). The pod is a coach pressurized at atmospheric pressure that runs substantially free of air resistance or friction inside this tube, using aerodynamic or magnetic propulsion. The terminal handles pod arrivals and departures.The Hyperloop, in the initial form proposed by Musk, differs from vactrains by relying on residual air pressure inside the tube to provide lift by aerofoils and propulsion by fans.

Concept art of Hyperloop inner workings

The hyperloop has its roots in a concept by George Medhurst in 1799 and subsequently developed under the names pneumatic railway, atmospheric railway or vactrain.Elon Musk renewed interest in hyperloop after mentioning it in a 2012 speaking event.Musk further promoted the concept by publishing a white paper in August 2013, which conceived of a hyperloop route running from the Los Angeles region to the San Francisco Bay Area, roughly following the Interstate 5 corridor. His initial concept incorporated reduced-pressure tubes in which pressurized capsules ride on air bearings driven by linear induction motors and axial compressors. Transportation analysts challenged the cost estimates included in the white paper, with some predicting that a realized hyperloop would be several billion dollars over budget.

How an Hyperloop works

HyperloopTT

Our capsules are engineered and designed for ultra-high speeds using cutting-edge composite materials and safety features. HyperloopTT developed a Vibranium™, smart material with sensors embedded between carbon-fiber, fuselage skin to monitor and transmit critical information regarding temperature, stability and integrity, all wirelessly and instantly.

Infrastructure

Reducing the cost

The HyperloopTT system has a low implementation cost compared to other high-speed transportation methods. As a civil infrastructure project covering long distances, there will be segments that are above ground, at grade, and below ground, optimizing to meet unique local conditions.

The HyperloopTT system reduces the environmental cost of a large-scale infrastructure project by integrating solar panels and other renewable energy sources to create a net energy positive system that aims to generate more energy than it utilizes. The harnessing of renewable energy also lowers operational costs. The system operates in a low-pressure, fully enclosed environment, eliminating traditional hazards from weather and traffic crossings, significantly improving efficiency and reliability.

Departure rate

Our station is designed around the passenger. Every moment along the HyperloopTT journey is engineered to deliver a frictionless experience with digital ticketing, biometric check-in, wayfinding, and an on-demand boarding system.

HyperloopTT stations are specifically designed for local environments. A transit-oriented development, the station integrates existing first and last-mile solutions, while creating a dynamic space where passengers can access goods, on-demand services and experiences. Stations are designed as community hubs that reflect the local culture and provide significant value to surrounding neighborhoods and passengers.

Vacuum

A whole new atmosphere

The low-pressure environment inside the tube is achieved through a specially designed HyperloopTT vacuum unit. Co-developed with Leybold, the inventor of the vacuum pump, the unit fits within a standard shipping container to offer a plug-and-play solution. The system is optimized to achieve and maintain low pressure in the tubes while minimizing energy consumption and maximizing operational uptime. The containers will be located along the route every 6.2 miles.

With the air inside the tube drastically reduced, the capsule can achieve high speeds with less energy consumption.

Passive magnetic levitation

Elevating transport

Our proprietary passive magnetic levitation technology called Inductrack™ is a game-changer for high speed transportation. The magnets are arranged in a Halbach array configuration, enabling capsule levitation over an unpowered but conductive track. As capsules move through the low-pressure environment, they use very little energy on route thanks to the reduced drag forces.

Should there ever be a power failure, the capsule will automatically slow down and settle on its auxiliary wheels at low speed. The Inductrack™ system was tested and validated on a full-scale passive levitation track. HyperloopTT then improved the technology and optimized it for a low-pressure environment through testing in our prototype.