Update from the Hyper4Rail Project – Work Packages 2 and 3

Participants in the WP2 workshop in Emden, held from March 10-14, included experts from the Institute for Hyperloop Technology of Hochschule Emden-Leer, Hardt hyperloop, TUM hyperloop, Zeleros, EuroTube Foundation, Geste Engineering, and Prose.

The Hyper4Rail Project continues to work towards harmonizing the hyperloop technology and designing a roadmap for deployment. By integrating engineering with network development, the consortium will start to refine the technical concept and use cases for hyperloop, integrating several rounds of stakeholder views.

Progress Highlights: Work Package 2 (System Design & Concept Development)

Concept of Operations (ConOps): An early ConOps framework, derived from a stakeholder survey, was created and subsequently refined based on expert feedback. This roadmap now guides system-wide analyses for alignment with operational and safety priorities.

Functional & Safety Analysis: A detailed functional breakdown of the hyperloop system was conducted by the team, defining key requirements and realizing potential hazards to inform stringent safety protocols.

Collaborative System Design: Nine working groups of experts tackled major areas—from propulsion and aerodynamics to vacuum systems and command and control—at an intensive workshop in March in Emden, Germany. Consortium partners collaborated to evaluate concepts against the ConOps, achieving consensus on viable technical pathways.

 Integrated Concepts & Evaluation: Based on this, five integrated Hyperloop concepts were composed, using the results of the group work. A dedicated modeling group developed simulation tools to support the system evaluations. Each of the five system concepts was analysed in depth, both qualitatively and through simulation. The results enabled cross-comparison of approaches and completed the first iteration of Work Package 2. This sets the stage for the next iteration.

Progress Highlights: Work Package 3 (Network & Business Case Analysis)

WP3 of Hyper4Rail focuses on Network Analysis and Business Case Assessments. During the month of March, the core WP3 team – comprising Hardt, CERTH, and TIS – held weekly meetings. Additionally, one meeting with the overall consortium took place to present preliminary findings and facilitate collaborative discussions.

Working sessions were structured as sprints, primarily aimed at developing a portfolio of alternative route scenarios to form the backbone of a Hyperloop network. Key input data for modelling activities include origin-destination pairs from aviation, complemented by scientifically validated traffic demand models that take into consideration the most relevant factors affecting mode choice.

These research activities are guided by different mission statements that explore Hyperloop’s potential role within the broader EU multimodal transport system, considering a mix of high and ultra-high-speed connections across Europe. The ambition is to align with existing and future EU transport policies, reinforcing the EU Single Transport Area and contributing to strategic objectives such as decarbonisation, regional connectivity, resilience, and competitiveness.

In the coming month, the focus will be on strengthening alignment with WP2 (Concept of Operations) and engaging external stakeholders to validate preliminary results. This will support the selection of the most promising use cases, which will be subject to business case analysis.

Looking Ahead

With Work Package 2 completing its first cycle and Work Package 3 advancing towards network validation, the project is poised to bridge the gap between technical innovation and everyday feasibility. Watch this space for further updates as we mature concepts, solidify partnerships, and push forward a revolutionary vision for European transport.

European Consortium Launches EU co-funded Hyper4Rail Project for Hyperloop Technology Harmonisation and Industrialisation

Experts from the hyperloop and rail industry met in Munich on December 5, 2024, to launch the Hyper4Rail project.

Co-Funded by the Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking (EU-Rail), Hyper4Rail is aimed at advancing the development of hyperloop, a concept for magnetically levitated trains running at high speeds inside nearly airless tubes. 

The project is focused on creating a common design framework, validating key systems, and ensuring integration into Europe’s existing transportation network. 

Hyper4Rail aims to establish a comprehensive roadmap for the future development and deployment of hyperloop systems in Europe. 

(Munich, Germany, December 5th, 2024) A new EU research project, Hyper4Rail, has been launched as of 1st of December 2024. Coordinated by the Hyperloop Development Program, the 24-month project will advance the development of hyperloop technology in Europe. A consortium of 27 organisations across 13 countries, including hyperloop developers, rail operators, infrastructure managers, engineering companies, and research institutions (list appended) unites expertise from multiple sectors in a research collaboration under Flagship Area 7 focused on innovation on new approaches for guided transport modes.  

Hyper4Rail was launched in a frame of a Horizon Europe Call, managed by the Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking (1), a partnership dedicated to supporting the development of innovative rail systems across Europe to help create a seamless, modern, and integrated rail transport network.  

Hyperloop promises to significantly reduce travel times compared to current high-speed rail and air travel, especially on short-haul routes. By minimising air resistance in a near-vacuum environment, hyperloop vehicles can achieve high speeds while consuming less energy. As hyperloop systems can be powered by renewable energy sources they offer a more sustainable alternative to traditional fossil-fuel-based transport that aligns with the European Union's goals for a sustainable and integrated transportation network. 

As the hyperloop technology is still in its early stages and there is a lack of standardisation across developers, Hyper4Rail offers the opportunity to build consensus on industrialisation, safety, regulatory, and technical frameworks and convergence on design considerations through a structured, all-stakeholder approach. 

The project will focus on hyperloop design definitions at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 2, which involves developing and confirming the basic principles of hyperloop systems such as propulsion and vacuum technology. The process is followed by validation of key subsystems at TRL4, the level of testing and feasibility demonstration in laboratory environments. A safety framework, operational guidelines, and business cases will be developed to align hyperloop with Europe’s multi-modal transportation goals under the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). Ultimately, the project will produce a unified roadmap to guide the deployment of hyperloop systems across Europe. 

"We are excited to coordinate the project with such a wide array of organisations from the rail sector, and other industries in this first-ever industry-wide consortium," said Sascha Lamme, Program Director of the Hyperloop Development Program. "By harmonising our efforts, we are building a unified framework for the future implementation of hyperloop technology. Our focus is on ensuring interoperability within the broader European transport network. Together, we are taking a significant step forward in advancing hyperloop technology for sustainable and high-speed transport across Europe." 

The project will use an iterative design process, allowing for continuous refinement as ideas and designs evolve. Social science disciplines will also be incorporated to assess societal acceptance, economic impacts, and environmental sustainability. Hyper4Rail is structured into six work packages, focusing on design, validation, business modelling, and the development of a detailed roadmap for implementation. 

Once the Hyper4Rail project is completed, attention will shift toward large-scale demonstrators, further collaboration within the industry, and pilot implementations. The roadmap developed during the project will help guide future research and development investments, as well as inform policy adjustments. The goal is for hyperloop technology to be industrialised and deployed at scale by the 2030s. 

Press Contact:

Steffen Hartmann | press@eurotube.org 

www.hyper4rail.eu  

https://rail-research.europa.eu/eu-rail-projects/  

(1) HORIZON-ER-JU-2024-FA7: Hyperloop – Roadmap Towards Industrialization and Harmonized Implementable Concept. 

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement: 101196142. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. 

Total funding provided by European Union: €2.3 Million

Involved Organizations and Companies:

No	Participant Organisation Name	Country
1	Stichting Hyperloop Development Program	Netherlands
2	Stichting European Hyperloop Center	Netherlands
3	Hardt B.V.	Netherlands
4	Technische Universität München	Germany
5	EuroTube Foundation	Switzerland
6	Zeleros Global SL	Spain
7	Hochschule Emden/Leer	Germany
8	TransPod France	France
9	GESTE Engineering France SAS	France
10	GESTE Engineering SA	Switzerland
11	TÜV Rheinland Intertraffic GmbH	Germany
12	Almadesign Conçeito e Desenvolvimento de Design LDA	Portugal
13	TIS PT, Consultores em Transportes, Inovação e Sistemas	Portugal

No	Participant Organisation Name	Country
14	Centre for Research and Technology Hellas	Greece
15	Kungliga Tekniska Hoegskolan	Sweden
16	Ferrovie Dello Stato Italiane SPA	Italy
17	Italferr SPA	Italy
18	Rete Ferroviaria Italiana	Italy
19	Norwegian Railway Directorate	Norway
20	European Passengers' Federation IVZW	Belgium
21	PFP Associação da Plataforma Ferroviária Portuguesa	Portugal
22	PROSE AG	Switzerland
23	Hellenic Train	Greece
24	Nevomo Poland Spolka Z Ograniczona Odpowiedzialnoscia	Poland
25	TU Delft	Netherlands
26	ARUP BV	Netherlands
27	Türkiye Bilimsel Ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TÜBITAK)	Türkiye