New BTS report identifies hyperloop challenges
18 August 2020A newly-published report, commissioned by the British Tunnelling Society (BTS), looks at and defines how the UK tunnel sector can meet the near sci-fi challenges posed by hyperloop and other transformative transport systems.
Entrepreneurs such as Elon Musk and Sir Richard Branson are making great progress in advancing such innovative techniques. This includes hyperloop, where vehicles travel between cities at extremely high speeds in near-straight vacuum tubes. However, none of it will be possible without the creation of significant lengths of tunnel.
To deliver the report on how the UK might meet such challenges, BTS's project director Bill Grose commissioned London Bridge Associates (LBA) to undertake extensive research and consultation, which included setting up a workshop of experts from tunnelling and the wider arena of thought leadership.
Funded by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), the report – ‘The hyperloop challenge for tunnelling: improving productivity and reducing costs’ – examines the sort of step-change that will be required in tunnelling to deliver such innovative transport systems. The report describes the project, the research and the findings.
