One of the drawbacks of traveling is that it can take a significant amount of time to get from one destination to another. Between the amount of time waiting in the airport and the time on the actual plane, that can take up most of the day for some commuters. In the future there just might be an alternative to long plane rides called the Hyperloop System.
What It Is
The Hyperloop System is basically a tube transport system. Individuals can travel at a high rate of speed that isn’t possible with airplanes. Sound impossible? It’s not, since entrepreneur Elon Musk, is hard at work making this system a reality.
The Logistics
Each capsule will have the capacity to hold 6-passengers. Speeds are estimated to reach about 4,000 miles an hour.
The Benefits
The cost to build the Hyperloop system is a lot less than building a freeway or high-speed train as it will cost around $6 billion dollars. This could alleviate congestion issues on the roads and at airports. Besides the obvious benefit of allowing travelers to get to and from their destinations rather quickly, there is the price. It’s estimated that traveling from New York to Los Angeles will only cost about $100 per passenger. In the future the pods could also go underwater and allow a quick travel time to other countries.
Drawbacks
Critics have claimed that the Hyperloop System can cause travelers to have an unpleasant experience. Since the capsules are narrow and don’t have windows it can make passengers feel claustrophobic. There are bound to be acceleration forces as well as jostling around and a high noise level that can be frightening to some passengers. Because of the high rate of speed, travel will be far from smooth and can cause motion sickness.
Where The Project Stands
In January Musk announced that a test track for the Hyperloop System would probably be located in Texas. The track would be a total of 5 miles in length and would be used to test the pod designs as they were developed. The test tracks will allow the pods to travel around 780 miles per hour.
The Hyperloop System could become a reality in just a few short years. It would open up a whole new world for travelers. Think about how great it would be to get to distant countries in a just a few short hours. We are excited to watch this system develop and will keep you up to date on its progress.
