Northern Arc among winners in Hyperloop One Global Challenge

The Northern Arc proposal led by Ryder Architecture and Arup has been selected as one of 10 winners in the Hyperloop One Global Challenge.

The competition was staged to explore where the pod-based high-speed transport systems could be implemented.

The Hyperloop concept is the brainchild of Tesla founder Elon Musk and uses magnetic levitation to lift pods above the track and gradually accelerate them using electric propulsion through a low-pressure tube. Due to ultra-low aerodynamic drag, the pods can glide at more than 1,200kmh for long distances.

A test track is under development in Nevada and could be operational by the end of this year, with a European test track to follow should proof of the engineering concept be established.

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The Northern Arc aims to link the key centres of the north of England and those of the Scottish central belt in a loop that would allow passengers to travel from Liverpool to Glasgow in a little over 45 minutes. This would effectively create a pan-Northern city region, with a population in excess of 10m people.

Paul Bell, partner at Ryder, said: “We are hugely excited to be selected to collaborate with Hyperloop One on this transformational proposal. Hyperloop One are progressing the proof of concept work in Nevada at an incredible pace.

“The north gave the world railway technology and we are passionate about making sure the north is at the forefront of the next generation of transport innovation, developing skills, expertise and system components that will be exported around the world.

Martin Butterworth, director of Arup, said: “We must always look over the next horizon at early-stage technologies that have the potential to improve the lives of generations to come. We believe Hyperloop is one such technology and worthy of further exploration.”