Hyperloop

A Viable Option for the Future of Transportation

What is it?
• Elevated system of transportation through a tube between
cities
• Idea proposed by Elon Musk, founder of Tesla and SpaceX
• Simulations and model-building in progress
• Hyperloop video
• Would provide transportation from San Francisco to Los
Angeles in 35 minutes
• Route along I-5
Technology
• Pods float on cushion of air through low-pressure tube
• Magnetic linear accelerators to accelerate pods
• Solar power to propel pods
• Simulation technology shows feasibility (Ansys software)
Cost
• Estimated cost of the Hyperloop vs. the California rail project

Estimated Average Cost of One- Type of Cargo

Cost Speed way Ticket
(LA to SF)
Hyperloop $6-$7.5 598 mph $20 Passengers
billion and vehicles
California rail $68.4 billion 164 mph $105 Passengers
project
Future plans
• Marco Villa and Patricia Galloway guide the progress of the
project
• Marco Villa- former director of mission operations at SpaceX
• Patricia Galloway- former president of the American Society of
Civil Engineers
• JumpStartFund plans to help finance the Hyperloop through
crowdsourcing
• hyperloop discussion board
Benefits and Implications
• Drastically reduced commuting time
• Transition from living in major cities to suburbs
• Increased speed of business transactions
• Reduced need for telecommuting
Benefits and Implications
• Green technologies involved in Hyperloop powering
• Less cars on the road
• Less air pollution
• Reduced emissions
of greenhouse gases
Questions?
References
• Aamouth, Doug. “Elong Musk’s Hyperloop: Five Things You Should Know.” Time.com. 12 August 2013. Web.
http://techland.time.com/2013/08/12/elon-musks-hyperloop-5-things-you-should-know/.

• Bredenberg, Al. “Is the Hyperloop the Greenest Track for Rapid Transit?” ThomasNet News. 9 October 2013. Web.
http://news.thomasnet.com/green_clean/2013/09/03/is-the-hyperloop-the-greenest-track-for-rapid-transit/.

• Knowles, David. “Top U.S. engineers join crowdfunding effort to help turn Elon Musk’s ‘Hyperloop’ from dream into
reality.” New York Daily News. 9 October 2013. Web.http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/elon-musk-
hyperloop-project-draws-topengineers-article-1.1466597.

• Moseman, Andrew. “Can Crowdsourcing Really Build the Hyperloop?” Popular Mechanics.Hearst Communication. 9
October 2013. Web.http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/engineering/infrastructure/cancrowdsourcing-
really-build-the-hyperloop-15993995.

• Poeter, Damon. “Hyperloop Transporation Technologies Wants to Crowd-Source the Future.” PCmag.com. 31
October 2013. Web. http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2426594,00.asp.

• Pritchard, Justin. “’Hyperloop’ Travel Idea Gains Fans If Not Backers.” Time.com. 18 September 2013. Web.
http://techland.time.com/2013/08/23/hyperloop-travel-ideagainsfans-if-not-backers/.

• “What is Crowdsourcing?” Daily Crowdsource. 9 October 2013. Web. http://dailycrowdsource.com/crowdsourcing-

basics/what-is-crowdsourcing.