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

  • Register for USDOT connected vehicle PlugFests
    May 2, 2014
    The USDOT will hold its next two connected vehicle PlugFests on 13-15 May in Farmington Hills, Michigan and on 24-26 June in Palo Alto, California. PlugFests provide venues for vendor-to-vendor connected vehicle device testing to help ensure that devices and systems meet the base standard requirements and level of interoperability necessary for the Southeast Michigan Connected Vehicle Test Bed Deployment 2014 Project.
  • WPS wins Viggo airport parking deal at Lelystad
    March 21, 2018
    WPS Parking Systems – a division of Dynniq – has inked an airport parking deal at Intertraffic. WPS and Viggo signed a co-operation agreement for parking services at Lelystad Airport, in Flevoland, central Netherlands. WPS will supply, install and maintain the parking management system at the airport, which is in the process of major change. Lelystand is evolving from an airport used only for general aviation (with predominantly small planes) to becoming an international holiday airfield. As a result of t
  • ITS World Congress premieres Kongressnavigator
    September 26, 2012
    Available for download from this week, the ITS World Congress ‘Kongressnavigator’is the first app to combine all the most important things at a congress. It helps visitors navigate through the city and the congress centre, and it integrates the conference programme, transportation schedules and tickets. All this comes together on the smartphone - now available for the iPhone, Android and as a mobile web application.
  • ITS World Congress premieres Kongressnavigator
    September 28, 2012
    Available for download from this week, the ITS World Congress ‘Kongressnavigator’is the first app to combine all the most important things at a congress. It helps visitors navigate through the city and the congress centre, and it integrates the conference programme, transportation schedules and tickets. All this comes together on the smartphone - now available for the iPhone, Android and as a mobile web application. Arrival at the airport followed by a quick stop at your hotel - there's not much time to spa