As of September 28, 2020, the Triangle area is no longer under consideration by Virgin to host its Hyperloop One project. Read more here.

The Research Triangle Regional Partnership officially submitted our region for consideration to Virgin’s Hyperloop One project, which is currently evaluating potential pilot cities for a new mode of high-speed transportation. If implemented, passengers would be able to travel at 671 miles per hour — which could reduce commute times from Raleigh to Durham or Chapel Hill to only 9 minutes. Residents eyeing jobs in, say, Washington, D.C. could get there in 30 minutes.

Possible routes in the Triangle | Virgin Hyperloop One

But what even is a hyperloop? The concept operates by sending specially designed capsules or “pods” — a.k.a. passenger vehicles — through vacuum-maintained tubes. The pressurized air essentially floats the pods with a low-friction, magnetic technology similar to that used in air hockey tables. Because rolling resistance is eliminated + air resistance is greatly reduced, the capsules can travel at a much faster speed than traditional wheeled modes of transportation.

What are the benefits? Besides getting where you want to go, like, really fast, the model uses relatively minimal electricity to move passengers great distances, making the Hyperloop a highly efficient transit option, with respect to both energy and cost. And since tracks can be installed above ground along existing roadways, implementing routes between cities could be achieved as early as 2029.

Virgin, the company behind the Hyperloop One project, is currently working to identify a certification center — a test track that will be installed in order to acquire necessary safety certifications before a larger network of routes is built. The Triangle has several geographic + economic advantages that were outlined in the region’s proposal, including the presence of top-tier companies and universities, as well as a large commuter presence between Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill.Stay tuned: a pilot location for the Hyperloop is expected to be selected later this spring. We’ll keep you updated as more news is announced + you can watch this video to learn more. ⬇️

[embed]https://youtu.be/LAWEOwDDt_Y[/embed]

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