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

  • ITS European Congress 2020: call for contributions
    October 17, 2019
    Ertico – ITS Europe is calling for contributions to the ITS European Congress taking place in Lisbon next year. Authors of papers and organisers of proposed sessions will be asked during the online submission process to explain how their contribution aids sustainability and reflects the Congress’ overall theme of ITS: The Game Changer. The Portuguese capital has been chosen as European Green Capital for 2020. In a new development, the category Commercial Papers has been replaced by Business Presentations,
  • Irdeto opens C/AV office in Michigan to boost OEM collaboration
    October 15, 2018
    Irdeto has opened an office in Pontiac, Michigan, to encourage collaboration with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), automotive suppliers and fleet operators on improving security for connected and autonomous vehicles (C/AVs). Niels Haverkorn, general manager, connected transport, Irdeto, says: “The key challenge is to identify a comprehensive security solution that is able to protect the vehicle itself and safely implement innovative business models.” The move follows a previous initiative where
  • Cream of the crop in contention for Innovation Award
    March 21, 2014
    Smart and innovative thinking is again about to be awarded here at Intertraffic Amsterdam, the world’s largest and best attended trade fair for the infrastructure, ITS traffic management, safety, parking, and smart mobility sectors. A total of 15 products have won through to the shortlist for the most innovative exhibits at the event. The official opening of Intertraffic Amsterdam 2014 takes place this morning from 08.30 to 09.30 at the Innovation Lab in the Elicium room where the winners of the Intertraffi
  • New Flyer to deliver nearly 200 diesel-electric buses to Massachusetts
    January 10, 2019
    New Flyer of America is to deliver 194 heavy-duty Xcelsior diesel-electric transit buses to Massachusetts to replace buses which are at the end of their life. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) placed the order in 2010 and now has more than 200 forty-foot and 70 sixty-foot diesel-electric buses in operation. The hybrid buses, supported by Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grants, will replace end-of-life vehicles. MBTA ordered its first New Flyer hybrid bus in 2010, and now has