Quantification of transport offer linked to a european hyperloop network

Abstract

Hyperloop is the modern and environmentally friendly update of an idea that has been in people's head for more than 200 years, since Medhurst presented the first patents. When "Hyperloop Alpha" was published by Elon Musk in August 2013, the best trained labour force, the most capable financial capital and the bravest governments and institutions, moved forward to make it a reality. Currently, there isn’t any scientific publications that address with enough detail, and without self-bias, the transport offer linked to specific networks of this new mode. This paper presents an approach to an operational plan in the exploitation phase for a specific Hyperloop network in Europe. About the proposed network, with an extension over 12,000 kilometres, the authors will analyse its social and economic benefits based on GDP and the directly connected population, describe its design parameters (radii of curvature, acceleration, deceleration and constant speed zones), outline the demand using simple gravity models, propose an annual service calendar with schedules and frequencies differentiated by country, and present the main magnitudes associated with its operation. In addition, the presentation will show the results of the research carried out on the main obstacle that the Hyperloop implementation will pose in the future: the number of tubes needed per direction vs. the transport capacity of each capsule or pod.