Hyperloop is positioning itself in the market as a perspective sustainable solution to satisfy the long distance intercity mobility demand. It is a high-speed transportation system using near vacuum tubes in which pressurized pods (vehicles) travel at speeds over 1000 km/h to move cargo and passengers. This system is theoretically able to combine the speed of a plane, the convenience of a train and the frequency of the metro, making long-distance journeys faster and more comfortable. This new system involves multidisciplinary technologies, including high-frequency electronics, automation, lightweight materials or vacuum systems among others, that are already being used by a wide range of applications, not only in transport industry. In this framework HYPERCOOP is willing to investigate the potential operational path towards its commercial implementation. The work will start with gathering the technical information available, which will allow depicting different scenarios arising during the start-up process of new transportation technologies in general and Hyperloop in particular. This includes safety and operation visions considering: a) what is possible to accept and adapt from rail knowledge, b) what is the common technical core and challenges within an interoperability as a service concept, c) the identification of hazards, standardization road-map and convergences with ongoing programs. Concept of operation and standard operating procedures will focus on the integration in control and management for service providers. The work will be divided in four activities: 1) review of technological and functional architecture of Hyperloop, 2) required technical components for the deployment of the functional architecture, 3) hazard identification and safety case analysis, 4) operational concept and application fields identification.
The planned research will to try to depict the conditions to facilitate the Hyperloop uptake towards the end-users by facing the main operational and safety identified barriers.
1) Regulatory framework: the start is the ongoing work by Hyperloop companies and stakeholders with European Commission and other standardization institutions, such as CEN/CENELEC, with the objective to establish a basis for the regulatory and standardization framework of the systems.
2) Initial investment vs. long term benefit: especially for the very first routes, benefits will not be immediate, therefore they might be perceived as not worthy;.
3) Benefit of disruptive solutions vs. traditional: high-speed rail and regional aviation occupy currently the portfolio of solutions for the distances, therefore slower but evolved high speed could be preferred due to the mature and well known technology.
4) Social Awareness: a transition period for social acceptance will be needed.
5) General concern of safety and reliability of un-manned vehicles: society is still not used to un-manned vehicles and there is a perception of being riskier alternatives;
6) Limited social impact: despite Hyperloop is able to ridge the city and improve the economy, the intermediate territories, rural areas and small to medium cities not directly served may perceive a lack of benefit;
7) Fragmented expertise: lack of systemic view and expertise, to be overcame by typical of transport systems engineers background of the research group;
8) Low pressure environments: demonstration that it is not compromising passenger safety.
9) Routing rigidity: typically due to alignment and very large admissible curve radius, potentially critical for accessibility and modal integration.
10) Life cycle costs, including maintenance and dismantling activities.