Midwest Hyperloop Route Could Lead To $300 Billion In Economic Benefits
by Kris Holt
A hyperloop network connecting Chicago, Columbus and Pittsburgh could lead to hundreds of billions of dollars in economic benefits for the region. A feasibility study, conducted by AECOM for the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC), suggested that over three decades, the route would lead to a number of positive outcomes, including:
– 1.9 billion autos shifted to hyperloop passengers.
– 2.4 million tons of reduced CO2 emissions (over $126 million in emissions savings).
– 450 million commercial truck vehicle hours traveled will be eliminated.
– $300 billion in overall economic benefits (nearly $19 billion of that in direct transportation benefits).
“Hyperloop is fundamentally about more than just getting from A to B quickly,” Jay Walder CEO of Virgin Hyperloop One, said in a statement. “It’s about the enormous benefits – the economic uplift, the job creation, the emission reductions, and the opportunity to fundamentally change the way people live and work. We’re proud to be working with MORPC to continue advancing a hyperloop route in the Midwest.”
Should it come to fruition, the hyperloop system (which would have optimal speeds of 500 miles per hour) could allow people to travel between Chicago and Columbus in less than 45 minutes for around $60. That trip would take about six hours by car. It’d be about 30 minutes faster than a typical flight as well, which usually costs around $100. Add the extra time and expense of getting to and from airports (and the hassle of having to go through them) and the savings start adding up quickly.
A Columbus to Pittsburgh trip, meanwhile, could take less than half an hour and cost roughly $33. That’s usually a three-hour drive. Fort Wayne, Indiana and Ohio cities Lima, Marysville and Dublin are also potential stops for the hyperloop corridor. The study also notes there there aren’t rail links currently connecting all of the cities in the corridor, although a high-speed rail system is still planned.
“We have continued to advance the work along this corridor ever since winning the Virgin Hyperloop One Global Challenge in 2017 and conducting this feasibility study was one of our first, major action steps,” said Thea Ewing, MORPC’s transportation and infrastructure development director. “The main takeaway is that hyperloop technology is, indeed, feasible along this route.”
Those involved in the Midwest Connect project hope that testing will start in the next couple of years, and the route could be in operation by 2050. MORPC plans to form a travel and economic demand advisory panel as part of the next steps.