Hyperloop train system with speed of 1,200 km/h is being built in France
The first section of the bullet train, built by an American company, is expected to begin trial operations in 2018.
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Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HyperloopTT) announced the start of construction of the Hyperloop high-speed train system in Toulouse, France,MirrorHyperloopTT will initially build a 320-meter-long track from several tubes with an inner diameter of 4 meters, and is expected to be tested this year, the company said on April 17.
The company is also preparing another 1,000-meter section, with experts hoping to complete the second section in 2019. "Five years ago, we set out to solve the most pressing transportation problems of efficiency, comfort and speed. Today we take an important step towards achieving that goal," said Dirk Ahlborn, CEO of HyperloopTT.
"Hyperloop isn't just about showing off high speeds or breaking speed records. The real opportunity is to create a system that's efficient and safe and delivers the best possible passenger experience," Ahlborn added.
Hyperloop allows people to experience the speed of an airplane on the ground. Passengers and cargo are transported in pressurized pods, suspended on a frictionless magnetic cushion inside the tube.
The Hyperloop system is noiseless and emission-free, and is said to be able to reach speeds of more than 1,200 km/h. This would significantly reduce travel times. For example, a journey from London to Edinburgh would take just 52 minutes.