5 ms·

Huge yes, but still only about 1-4% of total emissions. It's good to make inroads there, but I'm more worried about cars, power plants, etc. I think the biggest

Huge yes, but still only about 1-4% of total emissions. It's good to make inroads there, but I'm more worried about cars, power plants, etc. I think the biggest argument to make in favor of the hyperloop is ease of use, speed, and price. After all, maybe we'll have battery powered airplanes some day or maybe we'll just use gliders for shorter distances though maybe that wouldn't be as great for a reliable transport.

atemerev 10y ago
Security checks will be the same, speed is lower, price is higher. No added value except novelty factor. I would rather hoped for suborbital passenger transportation. 10x improvement: delivered (and engineering-wise, about as hard as Hyperloop). People are meant to fly, not stay tethered to the Earth forever.
- SapphireSun 10y ago
  I'm not convinced security would be the same. Amtrak is great with respect to the security inconvenience (nearly none). The trains might be more regular than flights, and the price? Who knows for now, it's a new technology (for something that barely exists).
  - atemerev 10y ago
    Imagine the consequences of blowing up a Hyperloop track segment. It will be the prime target of any terrorist group out there — hence the security.
    - SapphireSun 10y ago
      Wouldn't the tunnels flooding with air slow down the cars? The survivors could decelerate to a stop and await rescue. I'm not convinced that it would be worse than a rail attack without more detail if precautions are designed in.
dredmorbius 10y ago
1-4% sounds low. The figure I'm more familiar with is about 6% of global petroleum use. IndexMundi gives ~5 million barrels/day of jet fuel consumption, 2012. http://www.indexmundi.com/energy/?product=jet-fuel http://www.indexmundi.com/energy/?product=jet-fuel That compares with 90 mbpd global petroleum consumption in 2012 (BP Annual Statistical Review, 2016) That's 5.5% of petroleum consumption, which is about 1/3 of total energy (BP, 2016). Carbon allocation is to petro, gas, and coal, so 2-4% of total CO2 emissions actually is about right. OK, you pass ;-)
- SapphireSun 10y ago
  I did some googling beforehand, but I like your math better. ;)
  - dredmorbius 10y ago
    I was going to disagree with you but talked myself out of it.

atemerev 10y ago

Security checks will be the same, speed is lower, price is higher. No added value except novelty factor. I would rather hoped for suborbital passenger transportation. 10x improvement: delivered (and engineering-wise, about as hard as Hyperloop). People are meant to fly, not stay tethered to the Earth forever.

SapphireSun 10y ago
I'm not convinced security would be the same. Amtrak is great with respect to the security inconvenience (nearly none). The trains might be more regular than flights, and the price? Who knows for now, it's a new technology (for something that barely exists).
- atemerev 10y ago
  Imagine the consequences of blowing up a Hyperloop track segment. It will be the prime target of any terrorist group out there — hence the security.
  - SapphireSun 10y ago
    Wouldn't the tunnels flooding with air slow down the cars? The survivors could decelerate to a stop and await rescue. I'm not convinced that it would be worse than a rail attack without more detail if precautions are designed in.

dredmorbius 10y ago

1-4% sounds low. The figure I'm more familiar with is about 6% of global petroleum use. IndexMundi gives ~5 million barrels/day of jet fuel consumption, 2012. http://www.indexmundi.com/energy/?product=jet-fuel http://www.indexmundi.com/energy/?product=jet-fuel That compares with 90 mbpd global petroleum consumption in 2012 (BP Annual Statistical Review, 2016) That's 5.5% of petroleum consumption, which is about 1/3 of total energy (BP, 2016). Carbon allocation is to petro, gas, and coal, so 2-4% of total CO2 emissions actually is about right. OK, you pass ;-)

SapphireSun 10y ago
I did some googling beforehand, but I like your math better. ;)
- dredmorbius 10y ago
  I was going to disagree with you but talked myself out of it.