Hyperloop feasibility study confirmed for Kansas City

Black Veatch in partnership with Virgin Hyperloop One (VHO) and the University of Missouri System will conduct a feasibility study of an ultra-high-speed hyperloop route along I-70 in the state on behalf of The Missouri Hyperloop Coalition. The proposed route would connect a combined five million residents in Kansas City, Columbia and St. Louis with a journey time under 30-minutes. The study will analyse the technical alignment as well as the potential economic impact and benefits of integrating hyperloop
February 2, 2018 Read time: 2 mins

Black Veatch in partnership with Virgin 8535 Hyperloop One (VHO) and the University of Missouri System will conduct a feasibility study of an ultra-high-speed hyperloop route along I-70 in the state on behalf of The Missouri Hyperloop Coalition. The proposed route would connect a combined five million residents in Kansas City, Columbia and St. Louis with a journey time under 30-minutes.

The study will analyse the technical alignment as well as the potential economic impact and benefits of integrating hyperloop into the I-70 corridor. It will also outline the next steps required for a hyperloop project, which include creating a cost estimate funding model with the intention of enabling it to move forward.

Missouri proposed the route to VHO two years ago as part the Missouri Department of Transportation's (MoDOT’s) Road to Tomorrow project which aims to promote innovation along the corridor.

Michael DeMers, director of innovative partnerships and alternative funding at the MoDoT, said: "MoDOT is committed to delivering transportation solutions of lasting value and moving passengers and freight across Missouri safely and reliably. The State of Missouri will be a beneficiary of the feasibility study, and we look forward to contributing data and information to the study. We are especially pleased that the private sector is taking the helm and MoDOT will be able to participate without using Missouri taxpayer dollars.

Rob Lloyd, CEO of VHO, said: “By embracing innovations like hyperloop, Missouri can enhance its competitiveness and dramatically alter the way people and goods move. A hyperloop connection between the state's two thriving cities can help provide millions of residents with greater access to jobs and opportunities -- giving Missouri an undeniable edge in attracting new business and talent."

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Public transportation has paid off for Salt Lake City region, study shows
    June 25, 2015
    A public transportation technology partnership between Salt Lake City and Siemens in the US has resulted in 1,300 new jobs that have spurred an estimated $225 million in value to the local economy, according to a study conducted by the Economic Development Research Group, a Boston-based research company Siemens hired to assess the economic impact of the project. Since 1996, Siemens has manufactured and delivered 117 light rail vehicles for UTA’s TRAX light rail streetcar lines. The company is building t
    Read More
  • ITO World maps Hyperloop route from Chicago to Cleveland
    February 28, 2018
    London-based mobility data experts Ito World has mapped Hyperloop Transportation Technologies’ (HTTs’) route from Cleveland to Chicago to help the company promote its technology as a solution to tackle congestion and pollution. The route could transport 54, 720 people a day and reduce travel time from 5.5 hours by car to a 28-minute journey. HTT choose Ito World as one of its partners to help outline the socio-economic benefits of the interstate route. The visualisation was presented at HTT’s civic event
    Read More
  • Virgin to build 35km Saudi hyperloop test track
    August 1, 2019
    Virgin Hyperloop One is working with Saudi Arabia’s Economic City Authority (ECA) to conduct a study to build a 35km test and certification track. The company claims its technology can reduce travel times between cities: it says the trip from Riyadh to the Red Sea port of Jeddah would be slashed from 10 hours to 76 minutes, for example, with the Riyadh-Abu Dhabi route cut from 8.5 hours to 48 minutes. The study will take place in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), located 100km north of Jeddah. It w
    Read More
  • Missouri’s smart solution for rural road monitoring
    July 7, 2017
    David Crawford sees how Missouri is using commercially available information to rapidly improve monitoring and driver information on rural highways. Missouri is a predominantly rural state with the second largest number of farms in the country and agriculture the main occupation in 97 of its 114 counties. US statistics starkly reveal how road accidents in rural areas tend to be more serious than in urban regions and of the 32,000 US motorists killed each year, 54% die on roads in rural areas even though onl
    Read More

Highlighted Content