Back in the news — "Musk’s 'Hyperloop’ is feasible and should be nationwide"

[sekker]

GeneL wrote:
I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the above-mentioned post about crushed and forklift pierced damage to items sent by UPS, FEDEX and USPS.

If these "experienced" movers of goods can't get inanimate goods from point A to point B without damage, what are the odds of a catastrophic "ride" with this conveyance?

Just saying... ? miley-shocked003:

'This is the ghost of Christmas' Futures, Mr Scrooge!'

We live in amazing times - let's do something amazing.

[SteveG]

Musk must be replaying childhood memories of the World President's private vacuum-subway in Arthur C. Clarke great short story "Rescue Mission"

Here's the link==> http://www.baenebooks.com/chapters/07434...47___1.htm

[freeradical]

neophyte wrote:
Apparently, they don't think New Englanders want to travel much. Not exactly "national" in scope.

Amtrak for them...

[Black]

GeneL wrote:
I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the above-mentioned post about crushed and forklift pierced damage to items sent by UPS, FEDEX and USPS.

If these "experienced" movers of goods can't get inanimate goods from point A to point B without damage, what are the odds of a catastrophic "ride" with this conveyance?

I just had a thought that you would come out of the tube like toothpaste!

Just saying... ? miley-shocked003:

Which completely safe current form of travel are you using as a reference here Gene?

[Black]

Not sure why anyone would look at the included cities as anything more than an initial proposal, to be long forgotten by the time the first leg is ever opened.

[DeusxMac]

Steve G. wrote:
Musk must be replaying childhood memories of the World President's private vacuum-subway in Arthur C. Clarke great short story "Rescue Mission"

Here's the link==> http://www.baenebooks.com/chapters/07434...47___1.htm

The basics predate Clark or Heinlein by a long time...

"Pneumatic capsule transportation was invented by William Murdoch. It was considered little more than a novelty until the invention of the capsule in 1836. The Victorians were the first to use capsule pipelines to transmit telegrams, to nearby buildings from telegraph stations.

While they are commonly used for small parcels and documents – including as cash carriers at banks or supermarkets – they were originally proposed in the early 19th century for transport of heavy freight. It was once envisaged that networks of these massive tubes might be used to transport people."




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pneumatic_tube

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_Pal...ic_railway

[gabester]

Why does a city like "Concord" merit a stop but no interconnects from the midwest to anywhere in the west coast? Some of the other routes are just screwy.

Mind you there's been no mention of traffic management in this system, but there are some runs that strike me as overly long given the brevity of some of the other runs where I suspect other, existing conventional means would be more efficient.

But it's the sheer impracticality of the Hyperloop, from the perspective of capital investment, that I really appreciate. Billions of dollars for even the shortest of runs, in all likelihood; meanwhile setting up an airport at each end and planes to fly between the two...

[sekker]

gabester wrote:
Why does a city like "Concord" merit a stop but no interconnects from the midwest to anywhere in the west coast? Some of the other routes are just screwy.

Mind you there's been no mention of traffic management in this system, but there are some runs that strike me as overly long given the brevity of some of the other runs where I suspect other, existing conventional means would be more efficient.

But it's the sheer impracticality of the Hyperloop, from the perspective of capital investment, that I really appreciate. Billions of dollars for even the shortest of runs, in all likelihood; meanwhile setting up an airport at each end and planes to fly between the two...

My understanding is that the first set of cities were selected based on current easement restrictions - that is, they can be built without having to buy any new land - an issue that's the main problem with adding new light rail or high speed rail in most areas (and why China can build because individuals do not have the right to say No to central government).

The length of runs are based on a series of use parameters that are defined in Musk's 34 page proposal.

Musk has pointed out that even at $10B for the SF to LA run, it's 1/10 the cost of the proposed 'high speed' rail system CA and US Government approved. And the hyperloop would be at least 2x as fast, and use all solar power.