Hyperloop Pod Travels Across America

Virgin Hyperloop One (VHO) launched a U.S. roadshow to bring its XP-1 hyperloop pod to communities across the United States and start a dialogue about the power of this new form of mass transportation.

“When government and investor delegations come to our test site, seeing the technology makes it real for them. Not everyone can come to the Nevada desert, so we’re bringing our technology to the people—the American people who will be riding this new form of transportation within a decade,” says Jay Walder, CEO of Virgin Hyperloop One.

On May 11, 2017, XP-1 completed a full-system hyperloop test—what VHO calls its “Kitty Hawk” moment. This was reportedly the first time any company had integrated all of the components of a hyperloop including an efficient motor, power electronics, magnetic levitation, vacuum pumping systems and an aerodynamic vehicle as a single unified system. During testing, XP-1 set the full-scale hyperloop speed record of 240 miles per hour on just 550 yards of track, according to the company.

The national roadshow kicks off as states and cities across the world are competing to be the first to implement hyperloop technology. Nine states are exploring the technology and the federal government has created the Non-Traditional and Emerging Transportation Technology (NETT) Council to advance safety and regulatory certification.

The roadshow will give local communities the chance to see first-hand the test pod and learn more about their states’ progress in bringing hyperloop to fruition. Below are the upcoming scheduled stops along the national roadshow route:

• ARLINGTON, TX: August 8-10, 2019 

VHO has partnered with the Dallas Cowboys and the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) to unveil XP-1 at AT&T Stadium, the 4th largest in the NFL. The vehicle will be viewable during the scheduled stadium tours at AT&T Stadium (1 AT&T Way, Arlington, TX 76011). 

The Dallas-Fort Worth region has focused its program on students of all ages interested in careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The stadium will be open on August 9 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. for an invitation-only event featuring students from area school districts and other campuses for demonstrations of technologies related to the hyperloop project.

The Dallas-Fort Worth Regional Transportation Council announced their intent to evaluate hyperloop technology in Texas. The agency has begun a hyperloop feasibility study of a Fort Worth to Laredo route and an environmental impact study along a Dallas to Fort Worth corridor, which would include an Arlington station with access to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.

“Our region is going to gain 3 million new residents within 25 years. In order to handle this mass influx of people, we need to explore projects that will modernize our transportation infrastructure,” says Michael Morris, P.E., director of Transportation for the North Central Texas Council of Governments. 

• KANSAS CITY,  KS: September 14, 2019 

XP-1 will be speeding into the Kansas Speedway during the famed American RoyalWorld Series of Barbecue. On September 14, XP-1 will be on display alongside other family-friendly programming like live music, BBQ demos, food trucks, a classic car show and the Cowtown Family Fun Fest. The vehicle will be viewable starting at 11 a.m. at the Kansas Speedway (400 Speedway Blvd, Kansas City, KS 66111). 

Following completion of the first hyperloop feasibility study in the U.S., House Speaker Elijah Haahr announced the formation of the Blue Ribbon Panel headed by Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe, which will explore next steps and funding mechanisms for the Missouri Hyperloop project. The panel will report back with recommendations by September 2019.

“On behalf of Greg Kratofil, Jr. of Polsinelli and the KC Tech Council, we are thrilled to welcome the Virgin Hyperloop One XP-1 hyperloop vehicle to our great city of Kansas City,” says Ryan Weber, president of the KC Tech Council. “There has been so much excitement and interest in this technology, and we know the Kansas City tech community and general public will be receptive to the demonstration and learning more details.”

Beyond these cities, XP-1 also will be stopping at diners, hotels, museums, parks, state houses and stadiums to share the progress and promise of hyperlooptechnology.

This 4,000-mile route across the United States will today take 70 hours driving. With hyperloop, it would take about six.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.