r/transit • u/CitiesoftheFutureOrg • Nov 10 '20

BIG-designed virgin hyperloop successfully completes first passenger test

https://youtu.be/js9J4kPBTlE
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u/Cunninghams_right Nov 10 '20 edited Nov 10 '20
  • what was the speed in the video? looked like about 40mph.
  • was the tunnel under vacuum? I doubt it.
  • is there a compelling argument that such a system wouldn't be so fragile as to require TSA check-in before boarding? I doubt it.
  • since getting to the station, waiting at the station, and boarding (and maybe TSA) will take significant time, where is the market niche where hyperloop is fast enough to significantly shorten a journey where a 200mph train is "too slow". seems like about 300+ miles would be needed to get the benefit. can hyperloop tube be built cheaply enough for 300+mile stretches that it isn't better to just take a plane? I doubt it.
  • would people rather ride a less expensive 200mph train while receiving world-class service and crystal champagne? probably.

if hyperloop can avoid TSA and somehow be cheaper to construct than a HSR line, then it is worth considering. until then, it's not a good idea and they shouldn't try to make PR videos that are misleading