A Critical Review of Hyperloop (Ultra-High Speed Rail) Technology: Urban and Transport Planning, Technical, Environmental, Economic, and Human Considerations

Abstract

Companies globally have been trying to alter existing transportation systems to maximize public transport benefits, especially in the sector of high-speed (HS) ground transportation. The latest invention of such is Elon Musk's ultra-high-speed rail (UHSR), hyperloop. This technology enables a rail service to operate at a potential speed of 1,200 km/h. Hyperloop's ambitious speed goal has the potential to result in time-space shrinkage, which would then make distant cities more accessible with greatly reduced travel times. Since 2013, several companies have been vigorously promoting hyperloop development in various locations worldwide and competing to construct the world's first functional and commercially viable hyperloop. India, a country struggling with existing public transportation and urban mobility needs, agreed to construct a hyperloop through the company “Virgin Hyperloop One.” This paper first investigates the key technical, environmental, economic and human considerations in assessing the applicability of hyperloop to a particular location. It also considers in some detail the likely urban and regional planning and transport policy implications of the hyperloop technology based on the known effects of existing high-speed rail (HSR) systems. The paper concludes that many of the claims about hyperloop are subject to contrary information, meaning that great caution and prudence are currently needed regarding attempts at commercial deployment.

A Critical Review of the Proposed Hyperloop (Ultra-High-Speed Rail) Project between Mumbai and Pune and Its Broader Implications for Sustainable Mobility in Indian Cities

“…Tables 1-4 summarise the main findings of our more general review of hyperloop technology [4]. They show hyperloop's claimed characteristics alongside the expected implications of hyperloop's possible future urban and regional development and transport policy impacts.…”

“…To answer these questions, the Mumbai to Pune corridor is examined as a case study for applying hyperloop. The case study is discussed in relation to the findings from the more general review of hyperloop by the authors [4] and the specific lessons for the corridor that can be drawn from these analyses. The paper concludes with summary answers to the above four questions.…”

“…It further discusses its potential urban planning and transport implications, relying mainly on known experiences with highspeed rail (HSR). The above-mentioned factors were already detailed in Premsagar and Kenworthy's [4] paper entitled 'A Critical Review of Hyperloop (Ultra-High-Speed Rail) Technology: Urban and Transport Planning, Technical, Environmental, Economic and Human Considerations'. This information was used to assess hyperloop's potential application to the Mumbai to Pune corridor based on its publicly available existing specifications;…”

“…Before commencing with the case study, it is necessary to briefly summarise the findings of our more general assessment of hyperloop technology. This provides the needed groundwork to better understand the technology and its potential strengths and weaknesses [4].…”

Preliminary technical and economic analysis of a hyperloop line: case study from Italy

“…Also highlighted within the work is the absence of full-scale facilities making it difficult to perform testing to improve system development. To date, in fact, there are several studies and researches aimed at understanding the feasibility and convenience of Hyperloop systems; from a scientifictechnical point of view, there is no shared opinion (Premsagar and Kenworthy, 2022).…”