philipf22

[philipf22]

Hyperloop Systems & Net Zero

Hi everyone! I just happened to stumble upon a topic that really interests me, this being Hyperloop Transit Systems. Now you may be wondering; "what is a Hyperloop Transit System?". In simple terms, it is the next upgrade from the bullet train. Well, have you by any chance seen the movie "Bullet Train"? For those who haven't (give it a watch btw), don't worry, if you haven't already guessed what I'm talking about by the picture above, I'll be explaining this topic in this blog. If you have seen the movie, you will have surely noticed the really cool train, that almost the entire movie is set in. That's the one. That is an example of bullet train - duh. In simple terms, a Hyperloop Transit System is the next upgrade from the bullet train. Supposedly Hyperloops will be able to travel 2x-3x faster than bullet trains.

I think this hyperloop system would be a great benefit to society and would help massively in achieving Net Zero. In case you aren't familiar with that term, basically it covers all that stuff about reducing your own, as well as the world's carbon footprint. Everybody knows about it and how important it really is.

What is a Hyperloop Transit System?

A hyperloop is an ultra-speed ground transportation system that can be used for passenger or for cargo. It consists of a network of tubes, with pods or cars travelling at very high speeds in a vacuum. These hyperloop systems can be built above or below ground. The individual who proposed this concept is... You guessed it: Elon Musk.

Pros:

Speed

The most obvious advantage of the hyperloop is how fast it is. As mentioned above they are supposed to be 2x-3x faster than bullet trains. Elon Musk has even said that they can go faster than aeroplanes! How about that? Imagine being able to travel between cities within minutes.

Low Carbon Emissions

This is the big one. This goes back to achieving Net Zero because the hyperloop can run on electricity and solar energy. Solar panels on the roof of above ground hyperloops could generate energy. The tubes could also store electricity with the help of batteries. This means no direct emissions!

Immune To Bad Weather And Earthquakes

Hyperloops are less vulnerable to rain, snow, wind and even earthquakes wouldn't require rebuilding.

Passenger Experience

People would experience a very comfortable and silent experience due to the contactless magnetic levitation and propulsion systems.

Cons:

Costs

Let's just say the initial cost is insanely high. Elon Musk proposed that building a hyperloop between San Francisco and Los Angeles would cost $6 billion... Shivers. Although I have to say if a one way ticket only costs $20-$30 and would only take 30 minutes, I certainly would not be complaining.

Safety

When something in the system does go wrong, there is a very high risk to life.

Building Process

The building of tunnels and bridges and so on to support the hyperloops is nothing new but still it would take quite a long time. Not to mention the potential nightmare of land use rights. Also it is not clear who would be responsible for the costs and building. Finally, building hyperloops would likely mean a fair amount of damage to the environment (removal of trees). This goes against the whole Net Zero idea.

Passenger Experience

Yes I know I put this in the pros as well, but even though the speed is one of the main draws of the hyperloops, it is possible that this high speed could cause dizziness or nausea for passengers.

Now to summarise, I do believe that the Hyperloop Transit System is a step in the right direction for making travel much easier and faster, as well as in achieving Net Zero. Although some of the negatives I listed above certainly do raise some eyebrows (mainly the monetary and environmental costs to building hyperloops), I do think in the long run the benefits to the environment and the convenience it offers for customers make it worth it.