I was initially daunted by the time estimate, but this was a great read. Thanks for offering a clear and compelling explanation for those of us who aren’t experts on this subject. BTW, would you ever consider offering an audio version of your articles?
Excellent piece, Andrew! I learned so much. Thank you! Incidentally, this would make for an excellent “Cautionary Tales” episode. You should contact Tim Harford. I’m sure he would be interested in collaborating with you on an episode about this fiasco.
I wonder, though, whether the hyperloop concept / technology has some valid applications other than the long-distance intercity concept. Something less risky, and where the competition is not jet travel but something slower and more mundane. Perhaps focus on the cargo market, which would take a lot of risk out of the system (just like going to the moon is a lot easier if you don't have to send a human along).
Maybe not a great comparison, but I remember the hype about the introduction of the Segway, which was going to revolutionize urban travel. Fantastic, amazing technology, but it ran into all sorts of constraints that ended up limiting its use to fairly specific, not universal, situations. Like many innovations, these things end up looking like solutions in search of a problem.
Using the system to move freight, not people, immediately solves many of the difficulties: most of Hyperloop's problems stem from the risk it poses to fragile human life. The next step would be to tunnel it: easier to maintain a vacuum if there are fewer points where air might enter the system.
Ultimately, though, Hyperloop would work best in native vacuums. If we ever have lunar bases, Hyperloop would be a sensible way to travel between them.
I was initially daunted by the time estimate, but this was a great read. Thanks for offering a clear and compelling explanation for those of us who aren’t experts on this subject. BTW, would you ever consider offering an audio version of your articles?
Excellent piece, Andrew! I learned so much. Thank you! Incidentally, this would make for an excellent “Cautionary Tales” episode. You should contact Tim Harford. I’m sure he would be interested in collaborating with you on an episode about this fiasco.
I don't know that podcast but I'm always happy to guest
I wonder, though, whether the hyperloop concept / technology has some valid applications other than the long-distance intercity concept. Something less risky, and where the competition is not jet travel but something slower and more mundane. Perhaps focus on the cargo market, which would take a lot of risk out of the system (just like going to the moon is a lot easier if you don't have to send a human along).
Maybe not a great comparison, but I remember the hype about the introduction of the Segway, which was going to revolutionize urban travel. Fantastic, amazing technology, but it ran into all sorts of constraints that ended up limiting its use to fairly specific, not universal, situations. Like many innovations, these things end up looking like solutions in search of a problem.
Using the system to move freight, not people, immediately solves many of the difficulties: most of Hyperloop's problems stem from the risk it poses to fragile human life. The next step would be to tunnel it: easier to maintain a vacuum if there are fewer points where air might enter the system.
Ultimately, though, Hyperloop would work best in native vacuums. If we ever have lunar bases, Hyperloop would be a sensible way to travel between them.