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Taking the baggage separately is an interesting idea and possible solution to the security problems. If the 'Loop is as I'm imagining it (based on scant detail

Taking the baggage separately is an interesting idea and possible solution to the security problems. If the 'Loop is as I'm imagining it (based on scant details, granted) then the actual vehicle components are small, numerous and frequent. Given the short transit time it could be reasonably expected that people carry NO luggage whatsoever and could be quickly processed by a walk through a (potentially computer-operated) backscatter x-ray machine. Luggage runs could be carried in separate vehicles, spaced so that if anything were to 'go off' there would be loss of infrastructure but no loss of life.

larrydag 13y ago
Since Musk said that it was a people transportation concept everyone immediately jumped on that bandwagon. The hyperloop could be a concept that disrupts the cargo train market. I could see GE taking a look at this concept with the idea of improved cargo transport.
- prawn 13y ago
  It's pitched as a better option than a bullet train so I think it's safe to assume the primary thrust is transporting people.
- marssaxman 13y ago
  What would be the market for transporting cargo at the speed of sound, and why would anyone able to afford such a service prefer a train to a jet?
prawn 13y ago
Even hand luggage would hold things up and I can't see this being a good option without at least hand luggage. Without it you'd rule out almost every commuter (handbags, laptops, etc). And if the infrastructure is a tube, then damaged infrastructure would grind everything to a halt for some time. Still, something more like a train would still avoid the headache of boarding and taxiing that you get with a flight.
- alexhawdon 13y ago
  Maybe I'm overcomplicating this: if the vehicles were small, well-spaced and able to stop in the event of a failure ahead of them then the impact that any one passenger could have is equivalent of getting in a car and causing a bad collision on a motorway. Obviously a Very Bad Thing, but if we feel it necessary to protect against that then we might as well write off transport altogether! Anyway, enough speculation from me - I'll patient wait for Elon to finish his breakfast and press 'go' on the release.(Very frustrating!)
  - prawn 13y ago
    Wouldn't an explosion in a tunnel two metres wide be likely to destroy the tunnel? In that case, it'd be more akin to destroying a motorway/bridge. Road's going to be out of action for a while.

larrydag 13y ago

Since Musk said that it was a people transportation concept everyone immediately jumped on that bandwagon. The hyperloop could be a concept that disrupts the cargo train market. I could see GE taking a look at this concept with the idea of improved cargo transport.

prawn 13y ago
It's pitched as a better option than a bullet train so I think it's safe to assume the primary thrust is transporting people.
marssaxman 13y ago
What would be the market for transporting cargo at the speed of sound, and why would anyone able to afford such a service prefer a train to a jet?

prawn 13y ago

Even hand luggage would hold things up and I can't see this being a good option without at least hand luggage. Without it you'd rule out almost every commuter (handbags, laptops, etc). And if the infrastructure is a tube, then damaged infrastructure would grind everything to a halt for some time. Still, something more like a train would still avoid the headache of boarding and taxiing that you get with a flight.

alexhawdon 13y ago
Maybe I'm overcomplicating this: if the vehicles were small, well-spaced and able to stop in the event of a failure ahead of them then the impact that any one passenger could have is equivalent of getting in a car and causing a bad collision on a motorway. Obviously a Very Bad Thing, but if we feel it necessary to protect against that then we might as well write off transport altogether! Anyway, enough speculation from me - I'll patient wait for Elon to finish his breakfast and press 'go' on the release.(Very frustrating!)
- prawn 13y ago
  Wouldn't an explosion in a tunnel two metres wide be likely to destroy the tunnel? In that case, it'd be more akin to destroying a motorway/bridge. Road's going to be out of action for a while.