Super-Fast Travel Coming to Switzerland: The Hyperloop

There are new plans to create a 3-kilometer Hyperloop in Switzerland. The Hyperloop is a futuristic transportation system that can carry passengers and cargo through a pressurized tunnel at very high speeds, similar to airplanes. The Swiss authorities have recently announced that they are working on building a new stretch of Hyperloop track.

The Swiss Hyperloop project, known as EuroTube, had been on hold for the past two years due to a lack of funding caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it has now been revived, and they have the necessary administrative structure and funding to proceed with building the track in Collombey, Switzerland.

EuroTube is partnering with the Swiss public transport provider SBB and local authorities to create a three-kilometer-long tunnel to test Hyperloop technology. This would be the longest Hyperloop system in the world. The local government has also offered 18,000 square meters of land for free to support the project, with the condition that they can use the system even after it’s no longer in use.

What is a Hyperloop?

The Hyperloop is a high-speed transportation concept that involves running a train or pod using magnetic levitation inside a pressurized tube. The absence of air resistance and friction allows the train to reach speeds of up to 1,000 kilometers per hour, making it much faster than traditional high-speed trains and offering an environmentally friendly alternative to flying.

The term “Hyperloop” was coined by Elon Musk in 2012, and various companies, including Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, have been developing the technology. Hyperloop One, now known as Virgin Hyperloop, made significant progress, conducting limited passenger tests in 2020.

However, there are concerns about the slow development of Hyperloop technology. During the 2020 test, the pod reached only 172 kilometers per hour. Some have also questioned its suitability for mass transit due to limited capacity and high development costs. Safety concerns have been raised, particularly regarding the pressurized tube system and its long-distance functionality.

In Switzerland, EuroTube is primarily focused on researching Hyperloop technology. It was founded by ETH in Zurich in 2017 and aims to educate students and develop Hyperloop as a non-profit initiative. Despite concerns from environmental organizations about its impact on the local environment, the Swiss Hyperloop project is progressing, with ongoing discussions between the project and these organizations.