Neil Farbstein
I can believe hyperloops are reducing greenhouse gas emissions. I have never heard statistics about their efficiency vs aircraft and besides that all the steel and other materials that go into the tubes that contain the hyperloop cost a lot of energy and coal.
cjboffoli
If Hyperloop pods are to travel within a vacuum I wonder why they are all being designed with low drag coefficients in mind.
CzechsterMarek
IMHO - I believe this to be a far greater benefit to mankind then trying to settle Mars. Divert funding and technology to help Mother Earth.
Bob Flint
The vehicle is not the real challenge, the secure vacuum tunnel that needs to be hundreds of miles long is at the crux of the matter....
Douglas Bennett Rogers
I lived on a dirt road in Kern County for fifteen years and sent my taxes over the mountain to buy trains for the San Franciscans.
ei3io
What a charming new way to travel,, in a high speed coffin inside a long dark vault vacuum tube. But i bet they can put virtual video window screens to anywhere else but there.
Nik
!WHEELS?! I would have thought that mag-lev and magnetic guidance and propulsion would be the minimum starting point.
habakak
I agree with Chris. Why the aerodynamic design if wind resistance is a minor consequence? Regardless, the land and cost to build this makes it totally impractical.
Ride-shared autonomous electric cars are the better solution for the near-term. Cars are the only point-to-point transportation systems. We just need to increase their utilization (ride-sharing through autonomy), clean up their footprint and make them more efficient (electric) and make them safer (autonomy). The hyperloop will not go anywhere except maybe for moving freight.
DexterFord
OK, who wants to volunteer to be shot in a knee-high artillery shell from LA to San Fran? Even in this short test track, there are huge swerves and curves. Imagine hitting those wiggles at 600 mph. Imagine the noise inherent in riding in what is essentially a sealed, claustrophobic Pratt and Whitney jet engine? Imagine how great it will be when the passenger in front of you pukes, and you have to wait a half an hour, trapped in your shell, to get his Egg McMuffin out of your lap?
Busa10
Yes vacuum is a challenge, not in space though. Can you say Mars? Elon is planning ahead as usual!