HYPERLOOP: The Overhyped Fifth Mode of Transportation Jake Moser ITMG
History Elon Musk - creator Need for 5 th mode of transportation Requirements for mass transit alternative Pneumatic tube LA SF, comparison to High-speed rail
Travel Time Comparisons (LA SF) Mode of TransportationApprox. Travel Time (Minutes) Airplane83 Car328 High-Speed Rail160 Hyperloop35
Issues with Hyperloop Costs are underestimated Technology not ready Lack of political support *See Elon Musk’s argument for Hyperloop here.here
Costs Underestimated Only cost of materials No account for unforeseen engineering/technological problems Not calculated from downtown to downtown More expensive/person
Lack of Political Support Musk not willing to lead No politicians Knowledge not wide-spread Lack of public support
Technology not ready No prototypes Engineering/physics Not tested Not verifiable
Conclusion Hyperloop may be future Not near-future Not ready at current state Needs: Advancements in technology Political support
Works Cited Bellis, Mary. “Pneumatic Tools.” About. n.p., n.d. Web. 9 Oct California High Speed Rail Big Picture. Sacramento: California High-Speed Rail Authority, Web. Speed%20Rail%20Big%20Picture.pdf Speed%20Rail%20Big%20Picture.pdf Johnson, Matt. “Musk’s Hyperloop math doesn’t add up.” Greater Greater Washington. 14 Aug Web. 8 Oct hyperloop-math-doesnt-add-up/ hyperloop-math-doesnt-add-up/ Musk, Elon. Hyperloop Alpha. 12 Aug Web. 8 Oct Woodyard, Chris & Roger Yu. “Why Elon Musk’s ‘hyperloop’ transport won’t work.” USA Today. 13 Aug Web. 9 Nov op-elon-musk-tesla-space-x/ / op-elon-musk-tesla-space-x/ /