Market Trends of Hyperloop Technology Industry
Passenger Carrier Type to Remain the Efficient Mode of Transportation
The demand for high-speed railway networks is quickly increasing worldwide, attributed to increased passenger concerns regarding travel duration and increased comfort during the journey. In addition, with the inception of hyperloop, several consumer segment challenges would become much easier during the longer-term perspective.
Hyperloop is a concept for high-speed, fixed-guideway, intercity surface transportation, using capsule-like vehicles operating in sealed partial-vacuum tubes. Though hyperloop is nascent, investors, technology-developing companies, and governments worldwide are taking great interest in this technology. As the hyperloop's proposed speeds (maximum 720-760 mph and average of 600 mph) would indeed be faster than any other mode of transportation with no carbon emissions, if feasible, it would solve many problems associated with congestion and pollution across the world.
As a result, governments of developed and developing countries are testing the hyperloop transport technology in their countries and have also started building the tracks.
Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT), a company currently developing hyperloop technology, has started building its first full-scale transportation system in Toulouse, France. The company aims to develop a high-speed intercity transporter using a low-pressure tube train that travels in a vacuum at a speed of about 760 miles per hour.
Different European projects related to the hyperloop have received funding from the European Commission. For instance, the Commission has funded Eureka Eurostars projects to deploy hyperloop side technologies in port applications.
The United Kingdom shows tremendous potential for the implementation of a hyperloop system, as the country's current transportation systems are operating beyond capacity. This is because London is a congested city, with over one million people traveling across central London each working day, increasing its daytime population six times.
Hyperloop is an entirely new system that runs on neither roads nor rails, and it may present novel issues related to the Federal role in ensuring safe operation. Due to this move, companies are investing more time and money in the safety features of transport. With increasing support from the government, companies are collaborating to standardize the hyperloop. One such example is the European Hyperloop Program initiated by Hardt. Its objective is to collaborate with hyperloop companies and co-developing partners in a common standardization roadmap, to bring down the costs of hyperloop through R&D, and to test and display the developed technologies to allow its commercialization.
Considering these factors and rising concerns about energy-efficient transportation, the demand for hyperloop technology is expected to grow during the forecast period.
Asia-Pacific is Expected to Lead the Hyperloop Technology Market
Asia-Pacific is likely to lead the hyperloop technology market globally. According to Hyperloop Technologies and Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, the first hyperloop will be built outside the United States. Two competitors have chosen the United Kingdom, Singapore-Kuala Lumpur, or the Middle East as their possible sites for the hyperloop due to supportive government initiatives and minimal bureaucracy.
According to a report by the South China Morning Post, China is projected to inaugurate its hyperloop or ultra-high-speed pipeline maglev system by 2035. The system comprises a 150-km-long vacuum tunnel, envisioned to facilitate maglev trains reaching speeds of up to 1,000 km per hour.
Numerous major cities have been under consideration for this monumental project, with initial indications pointing toward the construction of the first hyperloop train line connecting Shanghai and Hangzhou. By building on its existing leadership in high-speed rail technology, China's strategic investment in hyperloop technology is poised to fortify its standing as a global pioneer in transportation innovation. This forward-thinking approach aligns with China's commitment to advancing transportation infrastructure and positions the country at the forefront of revolutionizing future travel experiences.
In October 2022, China successfully tested its first hyperloop project, which is a full-scale and full-process integrated test. This came after China's maglev train, which ran at the speed of 80 miles per hour. The test was carried out at the 2 km long Datong line, specifically constructed for testing in North China's Shanxi province. After the preliminary test was successful, the laboratory announced its plans to start building a full-scale test track that will be 60 km long and will be completed in three sections. In addition, the full-scale track will be completely enabled for train testing at rates of 621 miles per hour.
India has also posed a significant stance on the adoption of the hyperloop. The Indian government is also taking significant steps to construct a hyperloop in the country to reduce travel time and provide traveling comfort to the citizens. For instance,
- Maharashtra declared hyperloop a public infrastructure project in 2019, paving the way for the Mumbai-Pune route proposal.
- Indian Railways partnered with IIT Madras on research and development, validating various functional technologies.
- In November 2022, NITI Ayog announced the closure of the finalized report, which was made to run a thorough feasibility analysis of the technology and commercialization of hyperloop technology in India. Under this hyperloop technology, the government will construct a highspeed sealed tube with a pod that will experience minimal air resistance and can travel at a speed of 1,200 km per hour.
- DWG Hyperloop, an Indian company, envisions connecting major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore with hyperloop networks.
Considering such developments, the demand for hyperloop technology in Asia-Pacific is expected to witness a high growth rate over the forecast period.
