FIFTH MODE OF TRANSPORTATION-“HYPERLOOP”
The concept
of Hyperloop was first conceived in 2012 by renowned entrepreneur
and founder of SpaceX and TESLA, Elon Musk. He was in search of a new, the
fifth mode of transportation which can redefine the future of travelling by
drastically reducing the travel time on land. It is termed hyperloop as it would go in a loop.
Hyperloop is the greatest leap in mode of
transportation infrastructure for generations. With passengers sitting in a pod
and travelling through evacuated sealed metal tubes at a speed greater than
that of an airline, the concept seems to be fictitious but it is on the verge of
becoming reality. The speed of conventional mode of transportation i.e. buses,
cars or trains is limited by air resistance and friction. Hyperloop drastically reduces friction and air
resistance by means of magnetic levitation, electric Propulsion and partially
vacuum steel tubes. The concept is open-sourced by Elon Musk, the result of which several companies, researchers and student-led groups are developing their
own improved and technically advanced versions of Hyperloop independently.
HOW IT
WORKS?
Hyperloop is
a system of sealed tubes in which a pod can travel free of air resistance and friction.
The tube is made up of steel and almost vacuum environment is maintained inside
it with the help big vacuum pumps. The pressurized passenger pods consisting of
air compressor fan in front, ride inside the tube. The pod is propelled by
linear induction motors and the front compressor fan pushes air around and
under the pod to minimize the drag and create “air cushions” or “air bearings” beneath them, slightly floating the pod off the bottom tube
surface. This reduces the contact friction significantly and helps the pod to
achieve tremendously high speed close to 1200km/hr.
Further
Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT)-one of the leading hyperloop
companies introduced magnetic levitation in Elon Musk's model. In
magnetic levitation, magnets with opposite poles are laid under pod and tubes
which repels the pod to float over the surface of the tube. Thrust from linear
motors propels the pods forward with least possible resistance of air and
friction inside the low pressurized vacuum tubes.
WHY
HYPERLOOP?
The
futuristic concept of hyperloop is considerable. Undoubtedly the prime
advantage of this system is its speed. With such a reduced travel time a person
can easily commute to their work even in a different country from their
home. This will significantly reduce the burden of extra infrastructures for
living in major cities. With its complete structure inside the tubes, the
system is completely protected from weather conditions. Due to negligible air
resistance and friction inside the tubes, a pod requires very less energy to be propelled
which can be easily met from cleaner sources of energy like wind energy, solar
energy etc. Thus making Hyperloop an eco-friendly alternative to conventional
transportation systems too. Hyperloop has the potential to completely
revolutionize the way we live, work and travel.
HYPERLOOP
IN INDIA
It is being
estimated that this futuristic transport system will be seen in India in the next 6
to 8 years. US-based firm Virgin Hyperloop One has signed an agreement with the
Maharashtra Government to build a Hyperloop system between Mumbai and Pune.
Once the project is completed, the travel time between the two cities will be
reduced from the usual 3 hours by train to nearly 25 minutes. It might sound
unrealistic but it is possible in the near future. Maharashtra Government Urban
Development Department has declared the Mumbai Pune Hyperloop project as a
public infrastructure project.
Vineet Kumar
EE (3rd
YEAR)
HITK
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