One of the companies developing Hyperloop transport systems is working with a rail partner to use standard rail signaling for traffic management. 

HyperloopTT and Hitachi Rail companies reported that an important milestone has been passed before moving to commercial implementation of an innovative system. This innovative system will be able to operate at speeds of up to 1200 km/h upon completion of the cloud-based ERTMS signaling system proof of concept developed for Hyperloop TT capsules.

Hyperloops are designed to carry passengers or cargo in vehicle pods or capsules traveling at high speed in partially vacuumed tubes. The European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) is a set of standards originally designed to allow trains to operate anywhere in the European Union. However, it is currently being deployed in many other parts of the world.

Working at Hitachi Rail's site in Naples, Italy, the partnership has created a digital simulator that enables integrated testing of the hyperloop system's traffic management, signaling and some physical security requirements. The team is currently developing an interface with HTT simulators for functional integration.

By replacing the capabilities of complex physical equipment with cloud-based software, the solution is said to be more sustainable as well as offering greater reliability, greater flexibility in deployments for different locations, and lower maintenance costs.

The simulator can also help make Hyperloop TT more efficient by automating repetitive tasks and detecting and managing potential disruptions rather than reacting to events as they occur.

The system is based on ERTMS and ETCS L2 (European Train Control System Level 2) signaling technology to simulate the regulation and control of capsules moving at very high speeds. ERTMS has the advantage of being used and recognized internationally, making it interoperable, thus allowing HyperloopTT systems to operate securely around the world without the need to set new standards.

After completing the simulation model, the next step in the process will be to integrate digitally both the signaling infrastructure and the cloud-based model into physical capsules. This will open the door to physical testing of the entire system at HyperloopTT's test track in Toulouse.

Andres De Leon, CEO of HyperloopTT, said, “We are delighted to be collaborating with Hitachi Rail on this cutting-edge simulation of ERTMS and ECTS systems in our hyperloop, and it brings us one step closer to our goal of creating the world's fastest, most efficient and most cost-effective end-to-end transportation solution. We love working with partners who can help us unlock technical advancements with minimal investment, and this project is a great example of that.”

Hitachi Rail innovation chief Leonardo Impagliazzo said: “This partnership allows us to develop our best-in-class signaling and automation systems and customize HyperloopTT's super high-speed transport. We are excited about this achievement and look forward to the next phase of the program.”

Levent Aslan

Inspired by Engineering & Technology web site

What is ERTMS? : ERTMS stands for European Rail Traffic Management System. For more information about the system;

https://www.era.europa.eu/activities/european-rail-traffic-management-system-ertms_en

What is ETCS?: ETCS stands for European Train Control System. European Train Control System.