Here Hyperloop: FAQs on Elon Musk's 700mph travel in tubes?

What’s Hyperloop? 
Hyperloop is a new way to move people and things at airline speeds for the price of a bus ticket. Currently at a conceptual level, the new transport system can ferry passengers through a low-pressure vacuum tubes at a speed of 700mph. A one-way trip for instance, between Delhi and Mumbai on this transit system could take about 1 hour and 14 minutes. 

How is Hyperloop different from high-speed trains?

Hyperloop transportation is two to three times faster than the fastest high-speed rail. It’s on-demand. Trains follow a schedule. Hyperloop leaves when you’re ready to go, with departures as frequent as every 20 seconds. It’s less expensive and technology used is different. High-speed rail require power along the entire track. Thus, the track costs more to build and more to operate. Hyperloop One can deliver better performance at a lesser cost. 

At a speed of 700mph inside a tube! Is this mode of transportation safe?

The Hyperloop is designed to be inherently safer than high-speed rail, says the company working on this mode. There are no interactions with other forms of transport and is fully autonomous without requiring a driver. Hyperloop may have multiple emergency braking techniques, triggering an immediate braking of the vehicle. The vehicle will have a suite of life support systems including the ability to re-pressurize the tube, if needed. 

Is it cheaper than air or other travel modes?

Hyperloop One's goal is make it affordable for everyone. According to Tesla Motors and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, the solar powered mass transit — could be built for just 10% of the cost of the high-speed rail project currently underway in California. 

Where will Hyperloop draw its energy from?

The Hyperloop will run on renewable energy. There will be solar panels on the top of the tube, wind turbines in the pylons. We will generate more energy than we need. It would be like having a power plant that also transports people. 

Is Hyperloop transport active anywhere in the world?

Not yet. But the company has signed deals to build a mass transit system between Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. Construction is underway on their own Development Loop in the Nevada desert, combining all the sub-systems: pod, tube, vacuum, levitation, propulsion and braking. The company is set to finish the test-drive by 2017, before making it moving toward building proof of operations facilities around the world to obtain international safety and certification standards. The company plans to have three systems in service by 2021. 

How much will the Hyperloop cost to build and operate?

Capital and operating costs will range widely based on route and application (passenger, cargo) but third parties have concluded that the capital cost per mile of an Hyperloop system is 60% that of high-speed rail and would be less expensive to operate. 

What’s Hyperloop One?

Hyperloop One is privately held company working on the concept to reinvent transportation. The mission of the company is to have three systems in-service by 2021 that validate their ability to design, finance and build a safe, revolutionary transportation technology that scales. 

Is Hyperloop One building this new land transport in India?

The company has initiated a discussion with the govt of India recently . The top executives of the company discussed how this new mode of transport can integrate with and augment India’s vast transport network in a conference attended by rail minister Suresh Prabhu and NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant. The ‘Hyperloop One Vision For India’ summit also showcased five Hyperloop One Global Challenge semi-finalist teams from India, each of which proposed high-speed transportation routes that could improve the lives of millions of Indian citizens. 

How much will Hyperloop tickets cost?

Over a distance of 500 km, it is aiming for ticket price under $30, or Rs 200. However, it will largely depend on the route but this is going to be affordable for everyone, as per the company’s claims. 

What are top challenges for this mode of transport?

The idea of this mass transit could reduce travel times over long distances, however, there are challenges to deploy this in a country like India for the company to overcome before any such project can become a reality. Indian terrain, natural disaster, traffic volume are some of the bottlenecks to deploy this in India.

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