On
Feb 21, Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai announced that, in collaboration
with Virgin Hyperloop One, it would unveil the prototype of Hyperloop design in
the UAE Innovation Month.
According
to the announcement
made by HE Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of
Executive Directors of RTA, this will be the very first time for the Virgin Hyperloop
One prototype to be exhibited in the world.
The
Hyperloop is part of RTA’s initiatives for Dubai Future Accelerators. The RTA-Virgin
Hyperloop One collaboration has made considerable progress in the technical,
engineering and economic feasibility study of the Project.
Progress
made also included identifying the routes for operating the Hyperloop along
with its initial design model, which will be exhibited for the first time in
the world.
The
Hyperloop technology uses an electromagnetic propulsion system to accelerate
the movement of goods and services through a vacuum tube. The system is
designed to assist the levitation of the capsule slightly off the track within
the tube and move it at speed up to 1200 km/hour.
This
means that the Hyperloop can travel between Dubai and Abu Dhabi in 12 minutes and
serve about 10,000 passengers per hour in both directions.
At
the same time, Virgin Hyperloop One boasts of deluxe interiors, cutting-edge
broadcasting & display of information and entertainment materials as well
as leather seats.
“When introduced in future, the Hyperloop
technology will impact the town planning and the availability of parking
spaces. It will revolutionize people mobility between various destinations in
the city, logistical hubs like airports & ports, and shipping patterns,” HE
Mattar Al Tayer commented.
“The
UAE and RTA were early supporters of our hyperloop technology, so it is
particularly exciting to be unveiling the Dubai Hyperloop pod with the RTA here
today. Our focus in 2018 would be continuing the close collaboration with RTA
to progress to the next phase of the project. Our aim would be to explore the
viability of a wider UAE Hyperloop network,” Rob Lloyd, CEO of Virgin Hyperloop
One added.
Other
than the Hyperloop, RTA will also exhibit several initiatives such as
Autonomous Pods, High-Frequency Express Buses, and the Urban Mobility
Innovation Index (UMii).
RTA’s
participation in the UAE Innovation Month includes organizing an exhibition in
RTA’s premises displaying Dubai 3D Printing Strategy, displaying future
transport projects, and holding an innovation lab in addition to workshops and
lectures hosting global experts and speakers.
Self-Driving Transport Pods
During
the UAE Innovation Month, the RTA will exhibit the Self-Driving Transport Pods
Project which will undergo trial runs as announced by the RTA during the World
Government Summit.
These
mobility pods, the first of its kind worldwide, have been designed to travel
over short and medium distances on dedicated lanes.
They
can be coupled in 15 to 20 seconds or detached, depending on the destination of
riders, in 5 seconds. They are fitted with cameras and electromechanical
technologies to carry out the coupling and detaching processes, and this
feature can be activated in-motion.
Each
pod is designed to travel short and medium distances and has a capacity to
accommodate ten riders – six seated and four standing.
Urban Mobility Innovation Index (UMii)
At
the same time, RTA will also exhibit the UMii with the aims of: (1) maximising
potential benefits, (2) enhancing collaboration with cities, (3) benchmarking
mobility innovation, (4) providing a database of cities with advanced
innovative mobility.
These
mobility innovations are aimed at achieving self-improvement through sharing
expertise and using joint indicators towards implementing RTA’s Self-Driving
Transport Strategy; which is compatible with Dubai Smart Self-Driving Transport
Strategy.
According
to HE Mattar Al Tayer, the launch of these initiatives is in line with the
Government’s efforts to transform Dubai into the smartest city in the world. It
is also part of RTA’s efforts to provide autonomous transport, which requires
carrying out technological tests on these means under Dubai’s climatic
conditions.
“It reflects RTA’s strategy to transform 25% of
total journeys in Dubai into driverless transport using different means by
2030. The strategy is focused on integrating public transit means with people’s
happiness through the provision of smooth, express and innovative mobility
means that support the efforts of ranking the UAE among the top 20 countries in
the UMii by 2021,” HE Mattar Al Tayer added.