North Carolina explores Hyperloop feasibility

North Carolina’s Regional Transportation Alliance (RTA) is exploring the feasibility of 8535 Hyperloop as a potential regional and inter-city transportation platform.

Virgin Hyperloop One and consortium partner 3525 Aecom discussed the findings and implications of a pre-feasibility hyperloop study at a recent RTA event. The study included example corridors which could connect Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and Raleigh-Durham International Airport near the Research Triangle Park as well as a hyperloop network across the south-eastern US.

Jay Walder, CEO of Hyperloop, says: “North Carolina Research Triangle – home to some of the country’s top companies, universities and healthcare centres – is an absolute prime location to examine hyperloop technology.”

Walder believes the project represents a “tremendous opportunity” to connect these “regional anchors” and link North Carolina’s capital area with markets to the south and north-east.

According to the study, the introduction of a hyperloop system alongside area freeways including I-40 and NC 147 could reduce travel time and improve road safety.

Hyperloop says other benefits to be considered include travel time reliability and improved logistics for cargo shipments.