The proposed Hyperloop high-speed transport system would ferry passengers between Los Angeles and San Francisco in about 30 minutes, according to entrepreneur Elon Musk. This sketch shows what a passenger capsule might look like.
Hyperloop vs. the world's fastest trains —
The proposed Hyperloop high-speed transport system would ferry passengers between Los Angeles and San Francisco in about 30 minutes, according to entrepreneur Elon Musk. This sketch shows what a passenger capsule might look like.
From Tesla Motors
Capsules would move between the two cities through a network of elevated, pressurized tubes, built roughly parallel to California's I-5 freeway. For longer cross-country trips, however, Musk believes air travel will remain more efficient.
Hyperloop vs. the world's fastest trains —
Capsules would move between the two cities through a network of elevated, pressurized tubes, built roughly parallel to California's I-5 freeway. For longer cross-country trips, however, Musk believes air travel will remain more efficient.
From Tesla Motors
As envisioned by Musk, passengers would travel more than 700 mph through the steel tubes, aided by anti-friction air pressure.
Hyperloop vs. the world's fastest trains —
As envisioned by Musk, passengers would travel more than 700 mph through the steel tubes, aided by anti-friction air pressure.
Tesla Motors
When possible, Musk said, Hyperloop would follow the path of existing highways. Even when it doesn't, he says, its elevation high off the ground would minimize noise and other disruptions.
Hyperloop vs. the world's fastest trains —
When possible, Musk said, Hyperloop would follow the path of existing highways. Even when it doesn't, he says, its elevation high off the ground would minimize noise and other disruptions.
Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla Motors, says he was inspired to promote Hyperloop after being disappointed with high-speed rail plans in California. He released his plans online so that anyone could access and improve them.
Hyperloop vs. the world's fastest trains —
Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla Motors, says he was inspired to promote Hyperloop after being disappointed with high-speed rail plans in California. He released his plans online so that anyone could access and improve them.
Bloomberg via Getty Images
China's Shanhai Maglev train is currently the world's fastest, able to hit 311 mph with a top operating speed of 268 mph. As proposed, the Hyperloop would more than double that speed.
Hyperloop vs. the world's fastest trains —
China's Shanhai Maglev train is currently the world's fastest, able to hit 311 mph with a top operating speed of 268 mph. As proposed, the Hyperloop would more than double that speed.
Shanghai Maglev Transportation Co.
A CRH380A bullet train pulls out of the Hongqiao Station during one of its test runs in 2011 on the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed railway in China. The CRH380A has topped out at 302 mph and routinely runs at 217 mph.
Hyperloop vs. the world's fastest trains —
A CRH380A bullet train pulls out of the Hongqiao Station during one of its test runs in 2011 on the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed railway in China. The CRH380A has topped out at 302 mph and routinely runs at 217 mph.
Qilai Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Transrapid TR 09 mag-lev train, pictured on a test track in Lathen, Germany in 2008, hit a top speed of 279 mph. The German government canceled it, however, due to escalating costs.
Hyperloop vs. the world's fastest trains —
The Transrapid TR 09 mag-lev train, pictured on a test track in Lathen, Germany in 2008, hit a top speed of 279 mph. The German government canceled it, however, due to escalating costs.
dpa/Landov
Japan's famed bullet train, the Shinkansen, is nicknamed the "Duck-Billed Platypus" because of the duck-like shape of its nose. This train tops out at about 275 mph.
Hyperloop vs. the world's fastest trains —
Japan's famed bullet train, the Shinkansen, is nicknamed the "Duck-Billed Platypus" because of the duck-like shape of its nose. This train tops out at about 275 mph.
KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/Getty Images
France's high-speed trains have hit a maximum speed of 236 mph, although this V150 TGV model has gone faster in tests.
Hyperloop vs. the world's fastest trains —
France's high-speed trains have hit a maximum speed of 236 mph, although this V150 TGV model has gone faster in tests.
Pool DEROUBAIX/MARCHI/SAMSON/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images