Part 7/9:
Challenges Ahead
However, achieving the lofty goals set forth by the Hyperloop project is not without its hurdles. Engineers will need to address issues like thermal expansion over long distances, as expanding tubes from heat could interfere with the critical vacuum needed for operation. Furthermore, developing fail-safe emergency systems is paramount; a glitch at high speeds could have dire consequences.
Although constructing a commercial network could require hundreds of billions of dollars, China has proven time and again its ambition to tackle massive infrastructure projects successfully. Its experience in developing the world’s largest high-speed rail network suggests they have the capabilities needed to bring Hyperloop beyond the testing phase and into reality.