Hyperloop starts trek toward reality, new ruralism?

Hyperloop starts trek toward reality,
new ruralism?

Is this the desktop background to Windows XP21 Century?  No, it's the Hyperloop!  (See 'pneumatic tube, humans')

by TODD STOLARSKI | March 3, 2015

"Gentlemen, start your launch pods..."

Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT) based in El Segundo, CA, announced Feb. 27 that it will be the first company to turn visionary industrialist Elon Musk's commuter dream into a reality with a test track in 2016. Once Musk announced his mind-bending concept to the world 18 months ago, he handed his 57-page white paper in its alpha form over to the public, saying that he was too wrapped up with other projects to follow through. Four companies took up the challenge and are now racing to make those plans a reality. HTT will be the first to break ground.  

The Hyperloop is Musk's ambitious idea for a fifth mode of transportation. It relies on a vacuum-like system that uses depressurized tubes at low altitudes to reduce friction, as well as fans and magnets, to propel as many as 30 people at a time, at speeds up to 800 mph. At least in theory.

In reality, the test track in the Quay Valley, next to the I-5 freeway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, will be just five miles long. And it won't propel pods at the speed of sound, as Musk had envisioned. Instead, projected speeds will top out at about 200 mph. Still, any step forward is a step closer. Though only a test track is on the books now, a much greater sustainable city plan is afoot.  

Dirk Ahlborn, CEO Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (not Captain America) 

Keeping it real 

Quay City's concept of the future has been dubbed New Ruralism. It should be noted that this isn't the first time it has been attempted. An earlier try was put on indefinite hold due to the great recession of 2008. This time around, with favorable economic conditions and a technology partnership in hand, Quay Valley has a brighter sunrise on its desert horizon.

Quay Hays, most definitely running for the first mayor of Quay Valley and CEO of GROW (Green Renewable Organic & Water) Holdings, Inc. says, “With Quay Valley, we’re creating a community built on economical, environmental and social sustainability, and part of this is seeking to reduce car dependency.  For these reasons, the Hyperloop is the ideal clean community transit system for Quay Valley.”  

The land for Quay Valley is located on 7,500 acres, which aims to be a 21st Century sustainable model town, an entirely solar-powered, self-sustaining, residential community of 25,000 homes. CEO Dirk Ahlborn of HTT believes this partnership will prove fruitful as Hyperloop tries to obtain an initial public offering later this year. “Our agreement with Quay Valley is a major milestone in the advancement of the Hyperloop project," he says. "This installation will allow us to demonstrate all systems on a full scale and immediately begin generating revenues for our shareholders through actual operations.”   

““With Quay Valley, we’re creating a community built on economical, environmental and social sustainability, and part of this is seeking to reduce car dependency.”

— Quay Hays, CEO GROW

Last month, on February 13, HTT announced it was now  moving forward with an IPO and planning an auction, with the goal of raising $100 million to start.  

Still, the Quay Valley city does raise a larger question. Is this the start of a future where sustainable cities are shaped around the future of transit?  Or, is this when we choose to settle based on the limits of transportation available around us? Currently not living in the future where the answer is clear, HTT board member Peter Diamandis cuts through the debate. "It's time to stop doing photo ops and start doing something for the planet," he says. 

For inquires at Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Inc. contact Ben Cooke, 310-720-1214
and GROW's Sharon Hays at 310-593-9781.