Elon Musk.
Yeah, all those thoughts crossed my mind, too.
I actually thought I had written about this one idea of his, but searching my index, I found that the two posts I had written were never considered (by me) to be ready for prime time. So, they found their way to the trash heap.
I am not going to talk about his Tesla cars or trucks (a company which seems perennially to be in the cross-hairs of a slew of regulators) or even his Space-X venture (which seems to be doing better than his Tesla venture). Except- this idea is a cross between his Space-X and Boring companies.
We are talking about his “hyperloop”. You know, the pod-like vehicle (aka, electric sleds) he promises will whisk folks from LA to San Francisco in 30 minutes, or from Washington DC to Manhattan in 29 minutes. Tunnels would be dug between various cities (that’s the Boring Company portion of the effort) to let us travel at nearly 600 mph.
And, Musk did get approval a while ago to dig his test tunnels in the DC Metropolitan area.
Which is why he is finally constructing (or is that boring?) two 35 mile long tunnels connecting DC and Baltimore. But, that supersonic transport won’t be the product he offers right now. Instead, this new venture will allow his (modified) Tesla vehicles (capable of transporting 16 passengers at a clip) using rubber tires to hit speeds of 150 mph as they autonomously carry passengers between the two cities.
The initial environmental assessment report (just filed) proclaims the system will handle 1000 folks per day via autonomous travel. (Given the fact that each tunnel will be one car wide, the likelihood of collisions is virtually non-existent. The first assurance of safe autonomous travel.) The terminology Musk is now employing is that the tunnels will be ‘hyperloop-compatible’.
The tunnel terminals will be nearby to Camden Yards (the Baltimore Oriole’s stadium) and the NoMa metro stop near New York Avenue in DC. Each tunnel will be 14 feet in diameter. And, to minimize costs, the tunnel will traverse under New York Avenue (northeast), the Baltimore Washington Parkway which becomes I 295 as it approaches Baltimore, until it reaches Russell Street.
To ensure emergency access and air movement some 70 ventilation shafts will be built, within 300 feet of the main tunnels. The tunnel construction costs – even with the Boring Company’s innovations- will run about $ 700 million (about $ 10 million per mile) and take up to 20 months to complete.
Competition for this sort of travel will be stiff. The route is already covered by Amtrak and MARC (Maryland Area Regional Commuter trains) at prices ranging from $ 8 (MARC) to $ 80 (Acela).
If this Musk concept is really pulled off (there still is a 45 day comment period before construction can begin), Musk anticipates replicating the efforts in Chicago, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
I’m still waiting for the supersonic versions.
Much more fun, when there are some good topics to read. For so much a beautiful theme for me, I love a lot of love for the author.
Thank you so much, Thomas!
With so much of our infrastructure already crumbling- who will pay to maintain these tunnels? What about flooding? I would, personally, have many questions. Not to discourage but to make sure that it’s been thought of.
I am presuming the Boring company, which will own the tunnel, has the self-interest to maintain the tunnel. To protect its investment.
Cities and States just assume they can zap their citizens with more taxes when they fail to maintain their infrastructure.
High speed MRI tubes? No thank you! That looks claustrophobic and an accident waiting to happen to me. But then, I love road trips on the backroads for the scenery’s sake. Much rather enjoy the ride than get there in record speed.
I’m guessing this means you never ride a subway, then, Debi…
The supersonic version would be awesome but the concept presented is interesting. When I read the boring company, I initially thought of, well, being bored. It sounded pretty judgey, Roy! I guess I’m stuck in a hyper loop of looking for funny things for my blog.
Bonnie Anderson recently posted..The Best Airport Pick-Up Ever
I thought the name was hilarious as well, Bonnie. And, it is boring to bore a tunnel, to boot!
Very interesting Roy…… that said you wouldn’t get me in that tunnel for all the tea in china #claustrophobe
So, Dee, like I asked Debi….
Do you not travel via subway anywhere?
Call me old fashion but I can’t get into all this StarTrek idea with vehicles.
So, do you hitch up your horse and buggy to visit your relatives in the Midwest and the Northeast, Martha? Seriously, though, if it works- and is extended to Manhattan, it would present an interesting alternative to Amtrak and the airlines.
Awesome post.
토토사이트 recently posted..토토사이트
Thank YOU!
I visited many web sites except the audio quality for
audio songs present at this website is really excellent.
I’ve been browsing on-line more than three hours as of late, yet
I never discovered any interesting article like yours.
It is beautiful price sufficient for me. In my opinion, if all web
owners and bloggers made just right content material as you did, the
web will probably be a lot more helpful than ever before.
I am sure this piece of writing has touched all the internet visitors, its really really
pleasant article on building up new weblog.
Kiersten recently posted..Kiersten
Thank you so much!
Howdy! Someone in my Facebook group shared this website with us so I came to give it a look.
I’m definitely loving the information. I’m book-marking and
will be tweeting this to my followers! Excellent blog and terrific design and style.
I could not refrain from commenting. Exceptionally well written!
I will immediately clutch your rss feed as I can not
find your email subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter
service. Do you have any? Please permit me understand so that I could subscribe.
Thanks.
Will recently posted..Will
The link to subscribe is on the right hand side of the screen, Will.
When someone writes an paragraph he/she retains the idea of a user in his/her brain that how a user can know it.
Thus that’s why this article is perfect. Thanks!
gamefly free trial recently posted..gamefly free trial
Honored by your comments! Thanks.