Feasibility study of hyperloop against traditional modes of transportation in India

Abstract

Hyperloop is a faster, cheaper alternative to high-speed rail and traditional short-haul aircraft. It consists of a passenger pod traveling through a tube under light vacuum while being propelled and levitated by a combination of permanent and electro-magnets. Hyperloop addresses growth in demand, sustainability, and technology convergence for high-speed transport. It was proposed in a white paper published by SpaceX in 2013 as an alternative to the high-speed rail system, currently being developed between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Hyperloop satisfies a growing need for an alternative transportation mode for distances where traditional modes such as railways and airplanes are too slow or are uneconomical. For brief routes, the time spent travelling by air is way shorter than the time required in completing the entire journey because of factors such as local traffic, accessibility issues and the likes. The frequent capsule departures of Hyperloop would alleviate some of these hindrances. A study made by KPMG, backed by Hyperloop One, revealed that the travel time between Helsinki and Stockholm could be reduced by 75% of the current travelling time. Furthermore, the investments towards high-speed transport is projected to increase rapidly over the next few decades, and the Hyperloop concept could alleviate the strain on air and rail travel. The Hyperloop movement is gaining momentum, attracting a large number of startups dedicating themselves towards making it a success. In the Indian context, Richard Bransons’ Virgin Group is planning to construct a Hyperloop Transportation System between Mumbai & Pune.