Project Overview

The Hyperloop train proposed by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is a low-cost, high-speed alternative form of land travel. If successful, the Hyperloop system will be able to transport passengers from Los Angeles to San Francisco (~400 miles) in approximately 30-40 minutes. The low-speed emergency braking subsystem must be capable of bringing the pod to a complete stop from upwards of 300 mph; much like the braking systems that can be found in high-speed land vehicles and aircrafts. These conditions can be applied to other vehicles such as jets, airplanes, and automobiles when applying a braking system on a wheel. Through benchmarking designs, companies have used a standard single process braking method and not many improvements on design have occurred. This concept of high velocity mechanical braking is not fully reliable as a majority of these vehicles use secondary and/or tertiary methods of deceleration. However, because the conditions within the tube are near vacuum, this task is made more of a necessity due to minimal amounts of air resistance. Factors such as these present a unique challenge to develop a reliable high velocity braking system. Through implementing research and proper design, the system will be extremely reliable, as it will act as the last line of defense preventing a catastrophic failure.