Hyperloop Network Design: The Swiss Case

Abstract

Previous studies on Hyperloop network design, do not show any application of detailed network design process. The current study focuses on network design of Hyperloop considering the case of Switzerland. The study estimates the costs from the literature and estimates demand of network from the Swiss National Passenger Transport Model. These estimates along with a few fixed stations are considered as inputs for the network design process. The overall sequential network design process is performed in three phases i.e. (i) Network Generation (ii) Route Design & Frequency Setting (iii) Assignment. Output generated from each of the phases has been used as an input for the subsequent phase. The network generation phase develops the structure of the network, while the route design phase defines the lines and respective frequencies. The network design is also evaluated with the help of Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) in accordance with Swiss CBA norms. The findings show that the overall process develops positive results with respect benefit to cost ratio. The sensitivity analysis is also performed with all the phases of network design including cost-benefit analysis. The results show a linear relation of benefit to cost ratio with each cost, value of time and discount rate.