Dubai’s RTA begins hyperloop feasibility study

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has begun studies to test the feasibility of introducing the hyperloop technology in the emirate in partnership with US company Hyperloop One.

Over the past three months, Hyperloop One and the RTA have carried out provisional studies focusing on the suggested routes in Dubai; the economic, financial and environmental impact; the rate of resulting reduced traffic congestion; and carbon emissions.

Studies have also been carried out to examine the standards of issuing safety certificates.

“RTA experts have furnished Hyperloop One Company with the information that will help clarify the deliverables of the provisional study and the possibility of assessing results,” said Mattar Al Tayer, director general and chairman of RTA.

Several workshops were held to discuss details relating to passenger safety, impact of potential obstacles and risks, provisional plans to counter gravity, and other technical issues.

“Following the completion of the provisional feasibility study, Hyperloop One will submit final reports for assessment of deliverables by RTA experts, and recommendations will be raised to the steering committee to assess the feasibility of implementing the hyperloop technology,” said Al Tayer.

“The system is still fairly new and has yet to be experimented or tested on the ground and its safety certifications have not been issued.

“So it has been agreed to explore the feasibility of providing this technology in Dubai in future without setting a timeline for the time being,” he added.

Late last year it was revealed that Los Angeles-based Hyperloop One will moving its headquarters to Dubai after being selected to participate in the Dubai Future Accelerators Programme.

Read more: Hyperloop One to move its HQ to Dubai

Hyperloop One is currently carrying out the initial phase of operational tests in the US – the first of its kind worldwide.

A tentative test of the technology will be carried out in a vacuum tube extending 500 metres.

If successful, the hyperloop system will reduce the travel time between Abu Dhabi and Dubai to 12 minutes.

Also read: Hyperloop maker eyes 2020 Dubai launch

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