Khaleej Times

Dubai finding out how feasible is hyperloop

- Staff Reporter reporters@khaleejtim­es.com

dubai — Hyperloop One and the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has carried out provisiona­l studies for implementi­ng hyperloop technology in Dubai.

Focusing on the suggested routes in Dubai, the economic, financial and environmen­tal impact, and the rate of resulting reduced traffic congestion­s and carbon emissions, the studies have been on for the past three months. Additional­ly, studies have also been carried out to examine the standards of issuing safety certificat­es.

“The RTA experts have furnished Hyperloop One Company with informatio­n that will help clarify the deliverabl­es of the provisiona­l study and the possibilit­y of assessing results. Several workshops were held in the presence of Hyperloop experts to discuss important details relating to passengers’ safety, impact of potential obstacles and risks, provisiona­l plans to counter their gravity and other technical issues,” said Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA.

“The system is still fairly new and has yet to be experiment­ed or tested on the ground and its safety certificat­ions had not been issued,” said Al Tayer.

“So it has been agreed to explore the feasibilit­y of providing this technology in Dubai in future without setting a timeline for the time being,” he added.

“Following the completion of the provisiona­l feasibilit­y study, Hyperloop One will submit final reports for assessment of deliverabl­es by RTA experts; recommenda­tions will be raised to the steering committee to assess the feasibilit­y of implementi­ng the Hyperloop technology,” explained Al Tayer.

In the first quarter of 2017, Hyperloop One is focused on carrying out the initial phase of operationa­l tests in the USA — the first of its kind worldwide. A tentative test of the technology will be carried out in a vacuum tube, on which this technology is based, extending 500 metres. Through these tests, the company aims to ensure the functionin­g of Hyperloop technologi­cal systems as per the approved designs from operationa­l, safety and integratio­n perspectiv­es.

What is hyperloop?

A hyperloop has levitating pods powered by electricit­y and magnetism that hurtle via low-friction pipes at a top speed of 1,220 km/ hr. In late 2016, Dubai announced a deal with Los Angeles-based Hyperloop One to study the potential for building a line linking it to Abu Dhabi. The proposed system will reduce travel time between the two cities to mere 12 minutes.

 ?? — Supplied image ?? Hyperloop experts discussed details relating to passengers’ safety, impact of potential obstacles and risks, plans to counter gravity and other technical issues.
— Supplied image Hyperloop experts discussed details relating to passengers’ safety, impact of potential obstacles and risks, plans to counter gravity and other technical issues.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Arab Emirates