Hyperloop Delusions

Now the Calgary - Edmonton link is dreaming about a hyperloop, Alberta’s version is called Transpod. Did no reporter look at the image and ask any questions?

  • The pretty photoshop picture shows a transparent tube - that is going to work well as a structural material to contain a vacuum
  • These transparent tubes are called “magnetic tubes” – there are very few transparent materials that are able to generate or support strong magnetic fields
  • Speeds of up to 1,000 kilometres an hour, that is going to need a pretty hard vacuum to prevent the pod from generating a massive pressure wave in front of it as it travels at that speed
  • The picture shows nothing in the way of pumping infrastructure to maintain the vacuum
  • How long will it take to pump the vacuum down at each end of the line?
  • What provision is there for passengers to escape from the pod in the case of an issue? It is not like you can walk through a vacuum
  • Why did nobody ask about all the other vapourware hyperloops that have been in development? Nobody has yet demonstrated anything beyond a toy prototype.
  • Why did nobody as why not just build a high speed rail line for passengers and cargo?