Possibility of a FutureHyperloop for North Carolina’s Research Triangle Region

Hyperloop technology is rapidly evolving and brings the potential to transform the way people and goods move across cities, regions and states. This report provides a preliminary analysis for the Regional Transportation Alliance. Possibility of a Hyperloop Future Regional Transportation Alliance

The system is designed to be fully High speed transportation modes automated and is powered by 100% bring about change to: Hyperloop electric energy, allowing the hyperloop to operate with zero direct emissions –– The manner in which businesses Defined and to use various sources of interact with one another and The mission renewable and zero carbon generated choose to locate; Hyperloop is a new mode of transport energy. Installing solar panels on –– Where the workforce decides to where passengers or cargo are the roof structure of the tube is one live in relation to where they work; loaded into specially designed pods example of how implementation can and Complex challenges. and accelerated gradually via electric include complementary solutions for a –– Greater accessibility and mobility to propulsion through a low-pressure clean and efficient energy future. and through a region. tube. The pods float over a track Collaborative innovation. using magnetic levitation and linear Transformational Hyperloop is not intended to replace induction motors for propulsion to Connectivity existing “traditional” transportation glide at airline speeds. networks such as highways, bus rapid The introduction of high speed transit, intercity rail, and air travel. Transformational outcomes. With both friction and air resistance surface transportation systems into Evidence shows that generally the greatly reduced, the pods are designed an existing transportation network can introduction of high speed surface to travel at or above airline speeds (up have profound effects on a regional transportation complements and This is how we make dreams a reality. to 670 mph). As of December 2018, economic structure, land use patterns, enhances existing transportation a Virgin Hyperloop One full sized pod demographic characteristics, and on networks. They do this by: alleviating reached a speed of 240 mph on their the societal fabric itself. Often, the congestion via mode shift; allowing 0.3-mile DevLoop test track near Las addition of high speed transportation for better connectivity to certain Vegas, Nevada. systems is transformational in that systems (such as air travel) to the benefits it can provide extend far accommodate suppressed demand for The physical attributes of the hyperloop beyond traditional user benefits. both passenger and freight services; system include the tube, the track and providing the general public with inside the tube, and supporting more choice in the manner in which electrical and other infrastructure. The they travel, whether for business or tube can be supported by structural leisure, thereby contributing to an foundations and piers that elevate improvement in the quality of life and the tube above ground, or it can be Introduction the livability of connected centers. designed to operate within tunnels below ground. This flexibility allows the The Regional Transportation Alliance – the voice of the regional business hyperloop to fit better within existing community on transportation – asked AECOM to conduct a pre-feasibility right-of-way. analysis of the potential opportunity posed by hyperloop technology for the Research Triangle region.

This report summarizes information provided by Virgin Hyperloop One – the only company in the world that has successfully tested its hyperloop Speed of technology at scale – along with additional analysis and synthesis by AECOM. Aviation We are pleased to provide this information to you, NCDOT, and other area The differentiating benefit (100s of mph) stakeholders, and trust that it will inform potential additional studies of hyperloop technology and complementary mobility innovations for the region of hyperloop is the and state. convergence of Sincerely, traveling further less time/more capacity Access of High ground level access Transit Capacity (10s to 100s (10,000s Alan Eckman, PE Sreekanth Nandagiri, PE of miles) of pax/hr) Vice President, AECOM Vice President, AECOM Denver, Colorado Raleigh, North Carolina

2 AECOM AECOM 3 Possibility of a Hyperloop Future Regional Transportation Alliance Design Hyperloop PASSENGER / CARGO MAINLINE: PORTALS:

Part of the innovation of hyperloop is creating a Portals can be spaced at various distances, allowing transportation system with ultra-fast travel speeds flexibility for access. As close as 10 and as far as 100 while also maintaining a high level of passenger miles apart. comfort by minimizing acceleration and deceleration rates and creating a unique design for the guideway. Portal objectives: LOW PRESSURE TUBE –– Provide a safe and comfortable environment for Design elements include a combination of horizontal passengers and cargo to load and unload and vertical curves, and banking the pod in large –– Provide intermodal connections for passengers ELECTROMAGNETIC radius curves that limit the longitudinal and vertical and cargo PROPULSION G-forces on passengers to 0.20 G (between a light rail –– Accommodate peak capacity to provide on- train and an airplane taking off). The width of a corridor demand service for passengers footprint could be as narrow as 15 to 20 feet, allowing the system to be positioned within or alongside Portals components: NEXT GEN existing right-of-way alignments. MAGNETIC LEVITATION –– Platforms for loading –– On and off-ramps that provide acceleration and deceleration zones –– Stabling areas for grouping pods together AUTONOMOUS CONTROL PLATFORM

FITS WITHIN EXISTING RIGHT-OF-WAYS Example visualization of a hyperloop mainline in Austin, Texas along I-35 highway right-of-way. Source: AECOM

ELEVATED ABOVE OR BELOW GROUND

100% ELECTRIC AND ZERO EMISSIONS

Example visualization of a hyperloop above ground portal concept in Kansas City, Missouri. Source: Virgin Hyperloop One

AECOM 4 AECOM 5 Regional Transportation Alliance

Extend to Durham Process Charlotte Infrastructure Several fundamental processes comprise key milestones Financial and Legal gives focus to how the project would and approvals for implementation of major infrastructure be financed, and sources of funding (public, private, or projects. both).

Planning and Environmental includes early activities Procurement and Partnerships executes the project delivery method. (i.e. traditional public-sector Chapel Hill that define overall feasibility, extent of environmental RTP impact, and clearances and permits necessary. delivery models, or public-private partnerships [P3] arrangements). Safety Regulation determines if the system is safe RDU to operate, and if it can achieve the appropriate safety Management and Oversight defines how a project’s Airport certifications to move forward into operation. design, construction, testing, commissioning, and eventual operations activities will be deployed. Governance and Policy defines ownership, right-of-way processes, and the leadership structure anticipated.

Extend to Washington D.C. We Are Here The possibility of a hyperloop future in North Carolina Higher Speed Lower Speed is at a conceptual discussion, and has not yet begun a specific project delivery strategy. Source: VHO (2019) Raleigh

Raleigh to Raleigh to RoutesExample and Route Chapel Hill Durham Distance 30 27 (miles)

Benefits Top Speed 358 314 (mph)

This preliminary analysis starts with possibilities to Average Speed 187 181 connect the major centers in the region, alongside (mph) existing roads and highways, and going directly into Travel Time 9 min 37 sec 8 min 51 sec city center zones. This means speeds are somewhat lower than what a hyperloop system is capable Source: VHO (2019) of achieving. More detailed analysis and some deviations from existing right-of-way would allow a time reliability, emission reduction, improved logistics for system to achieve higher speeds, but would also be cargo shipments, and the effects of cities and economic more complicated for acquiring land. centers connected by the system to have far more synergy The introduction of a hyperloop system would offer by being connected within minutes rather than hours apart. significant travel benefits for the region, including Research Triangle portal (station) access points might travel time savings and safety benefits. The include: reduction of travel time for people and goods could offer billions in increased productivity and reliability. –– Downtown Raleigh/North Carolina State University area –– Downtown Durham/Duke University area Similarly, as highway travelers divert to hyperloop, fewer cars would populate existing highways which –– Downtown Chapel Hill/University of North Carolina at would reduce vehicle miles traveled, resulting in Chapel Hill area fewer accidents and lower associated costs. Other –– Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)/Research economic benefits to be considered include travel Triangle Park area

7 AECOM Possibility of a Hyperloop Future

&Conclusion Next Steps

A high-level analysis of potential routes and portal options was conducted to understand the existing conditions and opportunities for hyperloop to connect the region. Future exploration of routes and portals requires a more detailed analysis in close cooperation with local leadership and stakeholders to better outline how a hyperloop system could advance the future of transportation, land use and economic goals.

Other opportunities could be explored to further extend a hyperloop system to Charlotte or Washington D.C. and would provide even more connectivity and opportunity outside the immediate region.

Future analysis could provide more detail in the physical alignment and portal (station) locations, cost estimating specific to the system layout and local context, funding/finance alternatives, and the business case analysis that would outline the reasoning and return on investment for the system.

Ultimately the success of any project requires regional partnerships across public, private and university stakeholders and this type of leadership and collaboration strengthens potential and opportunity for the region.

8 AECOM