HYPERLOOP TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY
Introduction
Hyperloop is basically a trade name as well as a registered trademark of the space exploration technology corporation (SpaceX) which entirely entails the transportation of goods and passengers in tubes. With this technology, capsules remain to be propelled by the induction of motors linearly and air compressors. This is to say that it is a reinventing transportation technology which is aimed at eliminating all the barriers associated with distance and time through the use of Hyperloop transport in moving passengers and cargo efficiently, safely, immediately and sustainably (King et al, 2016).
Economic consideration
As far as this technology is concerned, what should be noted is that it comes with both positive and negative economic impacts. From the positive side of it, Hyperloop technology is in the position of ensuring goods and people are moved from one place to another safely, immediately and sustainably. This is to imply that one possibility of this technology is that it will spur even extra on-hand transportation options. Moreover, as an environmentally friendly means of transport, the Hyperloop will have the capacity of pulling cars off the road as well as planes out of the air hence keeping the ticket prices as low as possible (King et al, 2016).
Contrary to that, the negative impact of it is that not only the costs of the trains are extremely high, the operating costs of this technology is going to be high. The reason for this is because usually managing the train network is difficult and costly and in doing so efficiently is typically tough. Furthermore, the mass transit of cargo is does not guarantee the making a lot of money. This is based on the views that usually mass transit is perceived as being a public service hence costing money to run it rather than receiving it (Van, 2015). This then means that there will be the need of seeking government support so as to ensure that the project is viable and profitable.
Political considerations
From the political perspective, what is not is noted about this means of transportations is that it will end up saving costs as compared with the existing or conventional rail. The reason for that is because it has the capacity of coming up with combination of several factors. This is to say that, politicians assert that the small profile as well as the elevated nature of the alpha route will possibly allow the construction of the Hyperloop primarily in the median of the interstate, tunnels and so on (Sultana & Weber, 2016). Regardless of that, whether this assumptions remains to be truly feasible, it still a matter of debate.
Conversely, although the low profile is perceived as being in the position of reducing tunnel boring requirements as well as the construction expenses over the conventional commuter rail due to the light weight of the capsule, politically it is perceived that there would still be less right-of-way resistance and other environmental impacts because of its small, sealed, elevated nature as compared to that of a rail easement. It is still contended that the existence of a small footprint does not necessarily guarantee less opposition. This thus remains to be a bug to others rather than a feature (Van, 2015).
Nonetheless, political impediments to the general construction of the Hyperloop project, for instance in California, is perceived to be large. This then will mean that as much as there technology is under testing, it will be tied up with extensive or great deal of political and reputation capital which will be largely invested in it from such an existing mega-project like the California High-Speed Rail. Therefore, replacing the existing rail network with a different design would not be straightforward given the political economy of different developing states.
Social consideration
Regardless of the positive impacts which are perceived to be brought by the Hyperloop transportation technology, the low-pressure tubes are prone to such setbacks for instance being breached in certain rare circumstances. Such circumstances are brought by things like terrorists attacks, natural disasters like landslides and so on.
Moreover, socially it is entirely claimed that the quick re-pressurization of the Hyperloop tubes as well as the debris which will be carried with it will have the possibility of putting nearby pods at a higher risk of destruction. This then might require the general re-pressurization of the whole risk of the Hyperloop tubes hence putting it out of action for longer periods. Consequently, since majority of people feel that the risks as well as the safety mechanisms which would be deployed in such an event remains to be a matter of public debate of this project (Sultana & Weber, 2016).
On the other hand, at a speed of about 280m/s, deviations of about 1mm from its straight path will add extra vibration and buffering with no provisions for space for commuters to stand, use the restroom during the trip or seek relief in case of motion sickness. Socially, this is thus an additional logistical and practical question which explores the best means of dealing with the malfunctioning of its equipments, accidents, or emergency evacuations (Woodrow, & Grant, 2016).
Cultural considerations
Culturally, there exist various examples of depressurized tubes both in media and literature which dates back in the late 19th century. For instance, Harry Harrison’s “Tunnel Through the Deeps” of the 1972 is an early steampunk book which ends up giving the explicit details about the working mechanisms of the Hyperloop transportation system on sea and land – which includes the entire usage of the underwater bridges for the purpose of floating the Hyperloop tubes across the depths just past the continental shelf.
Moreover, this means that the evolution of this technology or the transportation through the means of evacuated tubes dates back when the atmospheric railway never used to be a commercial success. Therefore, Elon Musk’s Hyperloop transportation system borrowed its concept from the name “fifth mode of transport” hence later termed as hyperloop because it was to move in a loop. Similarly, the hypothetical high speed of this means would then be associated with characteristics such as free from collision, immunity to weather, twice as faster as a plane, energy storage for at least 24 hours and low power consumption rates.
Nevertheless, Gene Roddenberry’s follow-on to Star Trek Genesis II ended up making use of the same concept termed as subshuttle in his program so as to move characters quickly and safer from one place to another (Judith, 1997).
Environmental Impact
Hyperloop communication system currently is perceived as being an environmentally friendly means of communication. The main reason for that is because it will end up reducing the number vehicles on the roads or air hence reducing traffic congestion. With respect to that this will be beneficial in the sense that the amount of crude oil to be consumed will reduce hence eliminating air pollution because of such fumes (Woodrow, & Grant, 2016).
Despite that one, the main focus of some environmental critics is not only on experience- possibly frightening and unpleasant but also comes from not only the effect of travelling in small, windowless sealed capsule which is inside a sealed steel tunnel but also cause of its high acceleration forces, vibration and jostling and high noise which is to be brought about by the compression and ducting of air around the capsule. Some individuals also feel that although the tube will be smooth, there is the possibility of the ground shifting because of the seismic activity (Van, 2015).
Referenc
King, B., Lark, A., & Lightman, A. (2016). Augmented: Life in the Smart Lane. SG: Marshall Cavendish International.
In Sultana, S., & In Weber, J. (2016). Minicars, maglevs, and mopeds: Modern modes of transportation around the world.
Van, T. S. (2015). The advent of unmanned electric vehicles: The choices between e-mobility and immobility.
Woodrow C II & Grant C, (2016). Smart Green Cities: Toward a Carbon Neutral World. Routledge Press
Judith R. S, (1997). The Star Trek: The Art of Star Trek. Simon and Schuster Press.
