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

  • NOCoE opens submissions for TSMO Awards
    September 10, 2019
    The US National Operations Center of Excellence (NOCoE) is accepting submissions for the second Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) Awards. The TSMO awards celebrate transportation management and operations that save lives, time and money. Judges will select a winner and runner-up from the following: •Best TSMO Project (Creative Solution) – A successful project, planning or response to a specific event, or other improvement for safety, congestion and/or travel time reliability. Thes
  • TRA 2014 Transport Research Arena
    April 11, 2014
    TRA 2014 is to be held in Paris for the first time, showcasing French and European innovations for more efficient transport. The latest technological innovations will be on show in Paris from 14 to 17 April at CNIT - La Défense, providing an opportunity for all European stakeholders in transport research and innovation to exchange ideas and experiences about the latest scientific breakthroughs, to think about specific real-life applications and to discuss their research needs in order to guide the future
  • TRL and TomTom announce partnership on Congestion Index
    October 23, 2012
    TRL and TomTom have announced here at the ITS World Congress that they have launched a new partnership to offer more detailed analyses of the results published in TomTom’s quarterly Congestion Index which covers major metropolitan areas in Europe and North America. The partners say the collaboration will see the Congestion Index being put to practical use in solving local congestion issues. TRL traffic consultants are able to work with detailed TomTom data to produce customised analysis which meets the need
  • New York City wins ITF award
    May 25, 2018
    New York City has won the 2018 Transport Achievement Award of the International Transport Forum (ITF) at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The city’s Department of Transportation was recognised for its commitment to Vision Zero – a programme set up to help cut and eliminate traffic deaths. Mayor Bill de Blasio launched the city’s Vision Zero programme in New York in 2014. The initiative is said to have reduced the number of traffic deaths on New York’s streets by 20% and halved