Search Results (3)

This paper presents the concept of one possible but unconventional implementation of a Low Pressure Tube Transport (LPTT) system for a network with station-to-station distances of 300 km, based on the use of circular tunnels in which modular vehicles consisting of three interconnected functional segments move on wheels with airless tires. The physical limitations associated with high-speed vehicle travel in tunnels are presented. The reasons for the expected inconvenience in the travel system, compensated by short travel times, are justified. Assumptions for the use of locomotion, safety, and passenger segments in the construction of a vacuum modular vehicle are presented, as well as systems to ensure the efficient conversion of serial traffic in tunnels to parallel traffic in station areas. Schemes of station construction and traffic organization in the station area are presented, as well as assumptions for a number of systems increasing the safety of vehicle traffic used in emergency situations. Visualizations of some solutions are presented. Details of the construction of a locomotive segment based on a multi-wheel system of airless wheels with the use of a system of linear motors for acceleration and an inertial drive system between them to reduce its weight are presented. Some conclusions from tests conducted on built simulators, mechanical and virtual, of the passenger segment of a vacuum vehicle are discussed. Full article

This paper provides an analysis of a designed underground station infrastructure for vacuum tube high-speed trains for the planned mega transport hub in Poland. The potential of integrating the infrastructure of the station building with sealed low-pressure tubes system is analyzed. The Solidarity Transport Hub Poland is a planned mega hub to be located in Baranów Municipality, Poland, which is comprised of an airport, an airport city, a road, and railway infrastructure. It is to be integrated with the first route of vactrains in Poland. The aim of this paper is to design a hyperloop station building adequate for the advanced technology of low-pressure high-speed trains. Designing a hyperloop station is not trivial, due to technological aspects which have not been hitherto present in airport or railway planning and design, such as low-pressure zones or airlocks which determine possible passenger paths and evacuation roads. Both the mega airport and Polish hyperloop are in the planning stage, therefore, in this paper, available models and designs of the hyperloop station building and infrastructure are used in order to formulate recommendations for further development and identify critical issues related to the safety and reduction of passenger transit time. The main contribution of this paper is a model of the hyperloop station building which respects the principles of spatial planning and safety standards. Full article

Hyperloop is a proposed high-speed surface mode of passenger and freight transport that has gained much visibility in recent years. Since its introduction in modern form in 2013, progress on Hyperloop has been thriving, with several companies involved in research and development of Hyperloop systems and subsystems. Some of them have planned testing tracks in Europe, anticipating what could be the start of commercial routes. Nevertheless, there are concerns that need to be addressed regarding the safety and serviceability performance, and further steps are necessary for the standardization and certification of the system. This study leverages the state of play of Hyperloop development, identifies issues and challenges from a European perspective, and provides policy insights towards testing and commercialization. To this end, it follows a two-tier approach that (i) addresses safety concerns related to the implementation of Hyperloop as a key enabler of the proposed technology and (ii) analyses Hyperloop technology developments using a triple-helix innovation approach, using a structured methodology based on consolidated data sources (i.e., the Scopus database of peer-reviewed literature and the Patstat patent database). The performed analyses highlight the significant amount of research and patent activity on several aspects of Hyperloop, while the mapping of activities carried out by industry in Europe, as well as from European Services, highlights the progress made towards the future Hyperloop implementation in Europe. Altogether, these findings provide factual information regarding the necessary research, policy, and industry steps taken so far that can help bring Hyperloop into the market. To the authors’ knowledge this represents a very systematic and extensive literature review on Hyperloop’s scientific and technological developments. Full article