Abu Dhabi hyperloop to begin construction by end of next year

American transport-tech firm HyperloopTT has announced it will begin construction on the world’s first passenger hyperloop within the coming year, potentially slashing future overland travel time between Abu Dhabi and Dubai to just ten minutes.

American rapid transport company Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HyperloopTT) has announced that construction on the world’s first commercial hyperloop – slated to run between Abu Dhabi and Dubai – will get underway in the third quarter of next year, with regional leader Dar Al-Handasah and a range of Dar Group engineering and design consultancies signed on to the project.

Most recently popularised by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, the rapid terrestrial transport hyperhoop concept broadly features a system of depressurised tubes and magnetic accelerators to propel passenger capsules at speeds of up 1,200 kilometers per hour or greater – theoretically reducing the overland travel time between Abu Dhabi and Dubai from one hour and a half down to just eight to twelve minutes.

Following a late 2016 agreement with the Abu Dhabi transport department to conduct a feasibility study for a local commercial hyperloop system, HyperloopTT are now set to make the concept a reality. “We are bringing the future of rapid transportation technology to all those living in the UAE,” said HyperloopTT Chairman Bibop Gresta, who co-founded the firm in 2013 through a crowdsourcing model.

“Today's announcement is a testament to the continued commitment and determination of all our partners, both within the UAE and abroad,” Gresta continued. “As we move forward with the system we invite other interested organisations in the region and around the world to join us in making history.” Since its founding, HyperloopTT has grown to a team of more than 800 expert collaborators from around the world.

Newly joining HyperloopTT in the pioneering Abu Dhabi to Dubai project are regional engineering and design leaders Dar Al-Handasah, on board as project and design lead, together with fellow Dar Group engineering firms T.Y. Lin International of the US and Spain’s GPO Group, Perkins+Will (US) as architects, and the UK-based construction assets management consultancy Currie & Brown.

“With today's announcement of the appointment of Dar Al-Handasah, Perkins and Wills, and Currie and Brown, we have achieved a significant milestone towards the construction of the world's first commercial Hyperloop system in Alghadeer,” said HyperloopTT CEO and co-founder Dirk Ahlborn. “We are looking forward to working with all of our regional stakeholders to build this historic piece of transportation infrastructure.”

Described by the Dar Group as a ‘project that will forever redefine the transportation sector in the Middle East region and beyond,’ the firm’s Chairman and CEO Talal Shair commented; “We are extremely honoured to be part of this global movement in mobility and rapid transportation and are looking forward to collaborating with HyperloopTT to deliver a truly iconic project in Abu Dhabi.”