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

  • AVs could have ‘huge value’ in inner cities
    June 13, 2019
    Autonomous vehicles (AVs) could have value as the mainstay of inner city transport networks in future. “It’s pure speculation, but we are likely to see more segregated road networks,” said Chris Hayhurst, European consulting manager at MathWorks. For example, level 5 (completely driverless) AVs could simply be used to pick up and drop off people in the centre of a town. “In an inner city where there are no conventional cars at all it could have huge value,” he added. Hayhurst spoke to ITS Internat
  • ITS Austria hosts Austrian technology at World Congress
    September 26, 2012
    Austria is hosting the ITS World Congress, so you might expect something special on the ITS Austria stand. Well you are not going to be disappointed! About 40 Austrian companies will be represented on Stand E10 to show their products and services. For example, together with the Vienna Transport Authority, Telereal will show its ‘multi-sensual’ sign system, a new type of info point for people with hearing, visual or physical impairments.
  • Ennis-Flint acquires Italian markings manufacturer Vernisol
    March 21, 2018
    It’s a marriage made in Amsterdam! US-based Ennis-Flint has acquired Italian markings manufacturer Vernisol - both Intertraffic exhibitors. Ennis-Flint, one of the world’s largest manufacturers and suppliers of road marking materials, announced the deal, saying that Vernisol’s “strong, experienced management team, workforce and sales team” will remain in place to provide uninterrupted service to customers. Bruno Trentini, Vernisol managing director, will also remain a significant shareholder. “Our
  • Karhoo adds London chauffeur service to platform
    April 23, 2019
    Karhoo has partnered with Carey to allow users to book executive chauffeured services across London including to all airports in the UK capital. The deal is set to expand Karhoo’s current offering of around 25,000 taxis and cars which are operating in London. Sandy Miller, CEO of Carey, says users can now access the company’s service on the Karhoo platform in Europe, Asia and Latin America. The partners plan to expand the integration to incorporate Carey's network in more than 1,000 cities worldwide.