Hyperloop in the Netherlands
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Earth, Life & Social Sciences Anna van Buerenplein 1 2595 DA Den Haag Postbus 96800 2509 JE Den Haag www.tno.nl T +31 88 866 00 00 Main report: Hyperloop in The Netherlands Report nr. | 2017 R10715 Date August 2017 Author(s) Arup BCI TNO VINU Number of pages 48 Number of appendices 3 Customer Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment Project name Onderzoek naar de haalbaarheid van een testtraject voor de hyperloop in Nederland Project number 060.28044 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced and/or published by print, photoprint, microfilm or any other means without the previous written consent of TNO. In case this report was drafted on instructions, the rights and obligations of contracting parties are subject to either the General Terms and Conditions for commissions to TNO, or the relevant agreement concluded between the contracting parties. Submitting the report for inspection to parties who have a direct interest is permitted. © 2017 TNO Report nr. | 2017 R10715 2 / 48 Hyperloop in The Netherlands – Main report Table of content Management summary ................................................................................................ 4 1 Introduction .................................................................................................. 12 1.1 Emerging mobility challenges ................................................................................. 12 1.2 Testing is essential .................................................................................................. 12 1.3 Further desirable research ..................................................................................... 14 2 Outline of the research performed ................................................................. 16 2.1 Scenarios and Strategies ......................................................................................... 16 2.2 The 4 research topics .............................................................................................. 17 2.3 From findings to conclusions .................................................................................. 19 3 Findings regarding Spatial Integration ............................................................ 20 3.1 Selecting the locations: from 17 to 8: Technical spatial constraints ...................... 20 3.2 From 8 to 3: Multi-Criteria Analysis ........................................................................ 20 3.3 From 3 to 2: Schiphol-Lelystad-Groningen ............................................................. 21 3.4 From 2 to 1: Feasibility of timely spatial integration .............................................. 21 3.5 Positive findings and risks for the chosen location in Flevoland ............................ 22 3.6 Other findings ......................................................................................................... 23 4 Findings regarding Technology ....................................................................... 24 4.1 Hyperloop components .......................................................................................... 24 4.2 Passenger comfort & safety ................................................................................... 25 4.3 Other findings ......................................................................................................... 25 5 Findings regarding Finance and Economics...................................................... 27 5.1 Comparison Hyperloop One & Hardt data compared to our research .................. 27 5.2 Comparison of scenarios ........................................................................................ 28 5.3 Socio-economic benefits of a hyperloop test facility in The Netherlands ............. 28 5.4 Commercial phase .................................................................................................. 30 5.5 Operational costs and benefits from the commercial phase ................................. 30 5.6 Socio-economic benefits of a commercial hyperloop track between Schiphol- Lelystad airport ....................................................................................................... 31 6 Findings regarding Governance ...................................................................... 32 6.1 The test track .......................................................................................................... 32 6.2 Safety and certification ........................................................................................... 32 6.3 Additional activities of the government ................................................................. 33 6.4 Governance in the commercial phase .................................................................... 33 7 Scenarios and strategies ................................................................................. 34 7.1 Preferences Hyperloop One and Hardt .................................................................. 34 7.2 Other scenarios for a test track .............................................................................. 35 7.3 Scenario 3a’: a low-cost alternative ....................................................................... 35 7.4 Commercial scenario .............................................................................................. 37 7.5 Pros and cons of the various Innovation Strategies ............................................... 37 8 Conclusions.................................................................................................... 39 8.1 Combination of Market Shaper and Innovation Driver .......................................... 39 Report nr. | 2017 R10715 3 / 48 Hyperloop in The Netherlands – Main report 8.2 Start with a 3 km test track .................................................................................... 39 8.3 Build the test track in Flevoland ............................................................................. 39 8.4 First commercial track: Schiphol-Airport to Lelystad-Airport ................................ 40 9 First steps ...................................................................................................... 42 9.1 Hyperloop Innovation Program in The Netherlands .............................................. 42 9.2 First steps ................................................................................................................ 42 9.3 Realization of the test track .................................................................................... 43 Appendix A: Spatial Criteria ....................................................................................... 45 Appendix B: Cost elements hyperloop ........................................................................ 47 Appendix C: Technology Readiness Levels .................................................................. 48 Report nr. | 2017 R10715 4 / 48 Hyperloop in The Netherlands – Main report Management summary Main conclusion The development of a hyperloop test facility in The Netherlands contributes to R&D and innovation related to Smart Mobility. It offers opportunities in strengthening the Dutch innovation and production ecosystem (with a first-mover position) and benefits in terms of jobs and contribution to social challenges. Our advice to the government is to build a partly publicly financed full scale, 3 m diameter, test track in The Netherlands. The test track could start with a relatively low budget 3 km facility. Once this test track has been proven successful, it could be extended to a longer one and possibly even become part of a commercial track. But those decisions will have to be taken at a later point in time when more information about the development of the technology and costs is available. The 3 km facility will not be dedicated to one technology or company and as such enables the partnership with multiple hyperloop companies and aim for a joint public-private investment, certification and standardization process. Background The Netherlands is one of the leading countries in the development and implementation of new and innovative mobility concepts. Concepts such as Autonomous Driving, mobility services, sensors for road control, safety and maintenance, and world class (Smart Mobility) testing facilities are becoming standard solutions in Dutch mobility. The ambition of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment is to further strengthen and broaden this position. A hyperloop system (in which passengers and cargo travel in a pod through a near-vacuum tube at sub-sonic speed) could potentially contribute to this goal. Currently, several hyperloop companies are looking for opportunities to realize a test track. Two of these, Hyperloop One (USA) and Hardt (NL), have approached the Dutch government to discuss a partnership for such a facility. Hardt is looking for a 1 - 3 km test facility, while Hyperloop One is aiming at a 15 km test facility that could be extended to 50 km. In order to compare the different requests, this report investigates 6 scenarios for test tracks (see Table 1). Additionally, this report also gives a short outlook for a first potential commercial track. This report is the result of an analysis that allows the Dutch government to start the decision-making process on whether or not to invest and/or build a hyperloop test track. The analysis addresses (1) the maturity of the technology, (2) the possible spatial reservation/implementation of a test and a potential commercial track, (3) costs, benefits