Hyperloop is a concept for very high-speed, fixed-guideway, intercity surface transportation, using capsule-like vehicles that operate in sealed partial-vacuum tubes.
At this stage, the technology is unproven, but it has elicited a great deal of interest from journalists, investors, engineering firms, and governments.
This research is being conducted to provide a high-level evaluation of hyperloop in terms of its commercial potential, environmental impact, costs, safety issues, and regulatory and policy issues and to identify further research topics related to the technology.
This research is intended to provide NASA decision-makers with appropriate context to make decisions on the future direction of NASA’s involvement in Hyperloop research.
Commercial Potential-Passenger
The hyperloop technology is touted as having very fast speeds, faster than existing forms of passenger travel, and as being able to provide that service at lower cost than high speed rail (HSR). Hyperloop’s proposed speeds (maximum 720 – 760 mph and average of 600 mph) would indeed be faster than air, maglev, and HSR.
Commercial Potential-Freight
The early discussions related to hyperloop technology focused on its potential for passenger transport, but more recent discussions of hyperloop have focused on freight. This shift in focus to cargo is perhaps because of the (likely accurate) perception that it will be less risky to prove the technology on cargo than on passengers.
Environmental Impact
The various hyperloop proponents make much of the idea that hyperloop would be completely powered by solar technology. While that is certainly not true of air travel, both maglev and HSR are electrically powered and could be powered by solar if desired.
Costs
There is not much detailed information available about the costs of hyperloop. The most detailed information came from the “Hyperloop Alpha” white paper written by Elon Musk which provided an estimate of $17 million per mile. Subsequent to the Alpha white paper, HT gave a presentation citing $25 -$27 million per mile for just the technology, excluding land acquisition.
Regulatory and Policy Issues
At low fares (for example, $20 for Los Angeles to San Francisco) and relatively low capacity (pods carry 28 passengers and one tube in each direction), the hyperloop would not be able to cover its construction costs. Thus, a public entity of some sort would need to subsidize the endeavor.
Safety Issues
A completely new transportation mode needs to not only address safety issues that are known from existing modes but also anticipate any safety issues specific to it. The following issues have been identified and the companies that are developing the hyperloop technology are certainly aware of them. The proposed solutions would need to be carefully tested and vetted.
Key Research Questions