St. Louis and Kansas City are the two largest cities in Missouri, with St. Louis to the east and Kansas City to the west. While there is a lot of trade and commerce going on between these two, a total of 240 miles separates them. As a result, there is the constant problem of traffic buildup caused by manpower and freight shuttling back and forth between these two Missouri cities.
Enter the Hyperloop
In a bid to ease traffic and to further strengthen the economic ties between St. Louis and Kansas City, the groundbreaking proposal for Hyperloop transportation was born.
Futuristic, cost- and fuel-efficient, and most of all, super-fast, the Hyperloop sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie. But the project is real and may see implementation in the next seven years.
Project status
The possibility of bringing the Hyperloop to Missouri is quickly turning into reality after Kansas City tech experts recently completed their feasibility study of the project. They are now moving into the next stages of the project’s development which includes more testing and experimentation.
The XP-1, the pod used in a test track in Nevada, was displayed September 14 at the Kansas Speedway during the American Royal World Series of Barbecue.During its testing, the XP-1 pod accelerated to speeds of up to more than 240 miles per hour.
How it works
The Hyperloop uses two types of technologies: vacuum tubes and Maglev trains. When combined, they create a coasting effect that can transport people at a whopping speed of almost 700 miles per hour. It works by electronically launching a pod through a depressurized, magnet-lined tube, levitating the pod and allowing it to reach incredible speeds with minimal energy.
Cost-efficient and time-saving mode of transport
Andrew Smith, co-founder of the Missouri Hyperloop Coalition, said that the cost of the Hyperloop is about 40% less than if a high-speed rail was built. It is also three times faster to build. It’s both energy and fuel-efficient as it can operate at only about five cents per passenger mile.
Once complete, this new mode of transport will be able to connect Kansas City, Columbia,and St. Louis along Interstate 70, virtually eliminating the heavy traffic commonly experienced on this highway. The Hyperloop can also reduce travel between Kansas City and St. Louis from 4 to 6 hours to a mere 30 minutes or less. A trip to Columbia, meanwhile, will only take 15 minutes.
Criticisms
Of course, ambitious projects like the Hyperloop has its fair share of detractors who criticize its $7- to $10-billion price tag. But many are hopeful that this project will make transportation cheaper and more convenient for everyone in the long run.
“This won’t be impacted by weather. This won’t be impacted by fuel prices,” said KC Tech Council President Ryan Weber regarding the project. “And this will be a fully autonomous electric system that will run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”
Investing for the long term
If you are the kind of real estate investor who knows a good buy for the long term, then better get first dibs on St. Louis investment properties for their vast earning potential in the wake of the Hyperloop project’s implementation.
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