Page 13 - SAEINDIA Magazine December 2020

COVER

Story

While this seems like taking the
best of existing technologies, it
did attract a lot of criticism for
being ambitious and several other
challenges such as Infrastructure,
planning, overarching capability
needs, construction, operations,
safety, and a few others.
Nevertheless, several players in the
market have brought in their own
ways to deal with each of these
concerns.
Comparison with other modes

Currently, there are four well-known transportation The below charts compare the various transportation
systems – Roadways, Railways, Airways, and Waterways modes. The first one shows how Hyperloop gains an edge
for both passenger and freight movement. Here, many based on time and cost. The second figure compares
countries are involved in looking for some smart Hyperloop with other transportation modes based on
transportation solution, which will not only accelerate the CO2 emission levels and clearly has an advantage.
mass movement but also reduce the travel time and cost. Looking at the applications, they could broadly be
Over the last few years, several countries across the globe classified into Goods and Passenger Transportation.
have been experimenting and innovating with high-speed As for goods transportation, the current alternatives
rails, Bullet Trains, and Maglev too. However, the need are to transport by air, truck, rail, or by ship. However,
for a real solution did not end. Eventually, Hyperloop Hyperloop is fairly competitive and shows a combined
was proposed as the Fifth Mode of Transportation. The advantage.
ideation of a novel transportation system with extensive
features naturally requires considerable reasons to Based on passenger travel, a comparison of Hyperloop
believe in. It has often been quoted as “The fifth mode of transportation with other existing systems has been
transportation,” “Energy self-sufficient, Fast and cheap reflected in the below table. Commute by ships is
for people and goods” (Elon Musk) and “On-demand, neglected due to access and volume of transportation by
energy-efficient, safe” (Virgin Hyperloop One). that means.

Comparison of Hyperloop with other modes of transportation
(Source: Great Lakes Hyperloop Feasibility Study by Hyperloop TT)

MOBILITY ENGINEERING DECEMBER 2020 11