The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has unveiled the initial design of the Hyperloop project which aims to revolutionise travel by cutting the Dubai to Abu Dhabi journey to just 12 minutes.
Hyperloop, which is part of RTA’s initiatives for Dubai Future Accelerators, was exhibited for the first time in the world, in collaboration with Virgin Hyperloop One, as part of its participation in the UAE Innovation Month.
The RTA and Virgin Hyperloop One Company said they have made “considerable progress” in the technical, engineering and economic feasibility study of the project.
Routes have also been identified while the RTA also revealed that the Hyperloop will have deluxe interiors, cutting-edge broadcasting and display of information and entertainment materials as well as leather seats.
The Hyperloop technology uses an electromagnetic propulsion system to accelerate the movement of goods and services through a vacuum tube. The system is designed to assist the levitation of the capsule slightly off the track within the tube and move it at speed up to 1200km/hour.
It aims to lift about 10,000 passengers per hour in both directions between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
“When introduced in future, the Hyperloop technology will impact the town planning and the availability of parking spaces. It will revolutionise people mobility between various destinations in the city, logistical hubs like airports & ports, and shipping patterns,” said Mattar Al Tayer, director general and chairman of RTA.
Rob Lloyd, CEO of Virgin Hyperloop One, added: “The UAE and RTA were early supporters of our hyperloop technology, so it is particularly exciting to be unveiling the Dubai Hyperloop pod with the RTA here today. Our focus in 2018 would be continuing the close collaboration with RTA to progress to the next phase of the project. Our aim would be to explore the viability of a wider UAE Hyperloop network.” .
RTA is also exhibiting several initiatives such as autonomous pods and high-frequency express buses during UAE Innovation Month.
Al Tayer said: “The launch of these initiatives is in implementation of the directives of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transform Dubai into the smartest city in the world.
“It is also part of RTA’s efforts to provide autonomous transport, which requires carrying out technological tests on these means under Dubai’s climatic conditions. It reflects RTA’s strategy to transform 25 percent of total journeys in Dubai into driverless transport using different means by 2030.”
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