Skip to main content

First 10km of UAE hyperloop ‘ready in 2020’

The project billed as the world’s first commercial hyperloop system is on course to open its first 10km section next year in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). In an interview Bibop Gresta, chairman of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, told Emirates News Agency that the average cost would be $20-40m per km. Despite the cost, he is confident that the scheme – which will eventually run for 150km between Abu Dhabi and Dubai – will pay for itself in “eight to 15 years”. “It will be paying for itself
January 29, 2019 Read time: 2 mins

The project billed as the world’s first commercial hyperloop system is on course to open its first 10km section next year in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

In an %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external interview false http://wam.ae/en/details/1395302733154 false false%> Bibop Gresta, chairman of 8535 Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, told Emirates News Agency that the average cost would be $20-40m per km.

Despite the cost, he is confident that the scheme – which will eventually run for 150km between Abu Dhabi and Dubai – will pay for itself in “eight to 15 years”.

“It will be paying for itself and then it will be generating profits for the country,” he said. “So it is not only fast but also very efficient."

The system uses electro-magnetic levitation engineering to carry pods at high speeds, thus reducing journey times considerably.

Gresta said that a capsule which will be deployed on the project is being tested in Toulouse, France, on a prototype track before being used in the UAE.

"Hyperloop can quickly become profitable. It presents the ability to build a mass transit system that would not require government subsidies," he added.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Intertraffic 2016 programme now online
    March 1, 2016
    The seminar programme for Intertraffic 2016 is now online, including more than 80 theatre sessions, presentations, round tables, workshops and demonstrations. These include topics such as: Launch of Intelligent Public Space; the gateway to smart solutions and applications in public space; Digital Transport paving the way for new chapter in C-ITS; Successfully deploying automated speed enforcement programs; Multimodal Traffic Management - Bridge Management System as well as presentations by manufacturers and
  • Congatec displays Qseven and Smarc modules
    March 20, 2018
    Congatec is showing its Qseven and Smarc modules that support the new 64-bit NXP i.MX8 processors. The new modules, timed for the production launch of the ARM Cortex A53 / A72-based processor family, will enable OEM customers to implement their first-to-market strategies efficiently. OEM customers can start designing the carrier board for their applications now and will be able to leverage application-ready i.MX8-based Congatec modules from day one of the launch date. The new Qseven and Smarc modules with
  • Update on the FIA Region I conference Driving Change
    October 5, 2015
    The latest agenda for the FIA Region 1 conference, Driving Change, Connecting Mobility, which takes place in Brussels on 20 October, is now available on the conference website. Participants can hear from keynote speaker Pascal Smet, Minister for Mobility and Public Works in the Brussels Region and join in two debates with mobility experts, moderated by Jack Short, the former Secretary General of the International Transport Forum.
  • Automatic incident detection and traffic data collection training
    March 8, 2017
    The Flir Traficon Academy is offering training on automatic incident detection and traffic data collection in Bruges, Belgium on 22 and 23 March. The training focuses on the solutions and applications Flir Intelligent Transportation Systems (FLIR ITS) offers for fast detection of incidents on highways and bridges, detecting incidents and fire in tunnels and accurate traffic data collection on highways and bridges. After this interactive and hands-on training, participants will be able to select the righ