The Switzerland Pavilion presented a new technology that is set to enable the railways transition to hyperloop, using existing rail infrastructure that will allow the high-speed futuristic trains to be implemented in a more effective, cost-efficient way.
Swiss-based Nevomo presented its MagRail technology – a hyperloop inspired magnetic-levitation railway system that makes use of existing tracks to allow both magnetic vehicles and traditional trains to operate on the same railway line interchangeably, which can subsequently be transformed into hyperloop.
Stefan Kirch, Business Development Director at Nevomo, said: “MagRail is technology to upgrade existing railways, so instead of building an entirely new transport system, we take three out of four components from the hyperloop technology and implement it on legacy infrastructure.
“It will increase the speed and capacity of railways without introducing new tracks. This will change the world and the future of mobility.”
Hyperloop trains are expected to achieve speeds of 550 kmph using magnetic propulsion, with networks spanning entire continents, and potentially making international travel more sustainable, with less energy consumption and less noise.
Kirch added: “The Middle East is the place to be, because the region is changing in leaps and bounds, and we want to present our core technology here at the Expo.
“MagRail offers a competitive advantage; building a new hyperloop infrastructure is approximately EUR 50 million (AED 209 million) per kilometre, and building a new high-speed railway line costs EUR 25 million (AED 104 million) per kilometre. But using MagRail technology and updating the existing infrastructure will only cost EUR 7 million (AED29 million) per kilometre. Hence, it’s a cheaper, sustainable and an efficient option.”
Nevomo is currently running projects in Italy and other European countries, testing safety and equipment, and aims to be commercially ready in 2023.
MagRail is just one of a number of innovative mobility solutions being showcased across Expo, including DP World’s Cargospeed – a hyperloop-enabled cargo system that could introduce the fast, sustainable and efficient delivery of cargo around the world – and Zeleros hyperloop at the Spain Pavilion.
Sunday marked the start of Expo’s Travel and Connectivity Week, which runs until 16 January. Part of Expo 2020’s Programme for People and Planet, the week brings together industry leaders, innovators and policy makers, united in the belief that connectivity not only brings us closer but is the bedrock of healthy and empowered societies.
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