If Elon Musk is successful with his Hyperloop project, a scheme to replace trains and planes with transit via hyper-speed vacuum tubes, future humans will be able to catch a subway-like train to their global destinations. Is this a real possibility? As it turns out yes, the technology exists today. But as one of my favorite science bloggers, Ethan Siegel, writes in a recent post – just because you can do it, doesn’t mean you should.
Despite Ethan’s convincing arguments against what he terms the ‘vomit comet,’ it’s still fun to imagine what the world might be like with a successful Hyperloop system. Sometime toward the end of this century you (if you’re young and in good health) or your descendents might need to figure out how to get from Boston to Cologne. Is it better to take a longer route, but change trains once or should you risk what looks to be a shorter route with three transfers?
Subway-style Hyperloop Map
Some of you may recognize this map. It’s actually not a depiction of a Hyperloop transit system, but a map created by Mark Ovenden and Alan Foale in 2005 eight years before Musk unveiled his preliminary design for a Los Angeles to San Fransisco link. The map connects cities with existing or planned (by 2008) subway systems via trunk lines. The style matches the London Underground maps. It’s a piece of art rather than a plan for a real world Hyperloop system. It’s available for £9.95 at the London Transport Museum shop. (Note I’ve never met either Mr. Foale or Mr. Ovenden. I receive no compensation of any kind should you buy their map or anything else from the shop)
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As always thanks for reading.
Armen
Note to pay the bills: As a high fantasy series, the Warders does not include a worldwide hyperloop – at least not as envisioned by Elon Musk. However, it does feature several magical transport systems that zap agents instantly across the continent. If you’re interested in a James Bond-like thriller set in a high fantasy world, then, check out a summary of the series here or find links to purchase books here.
Having specialized in transportation for my entire career, the concept grabbed my attention. Since transportation by air is called Aviation, maybe this form of should be called Moleiation.
Perhaps if Elon accepts your suggestion he’ll also cut you in for some of the profits….although those certainly aren’t guaranteed.