DALLAS-FORT WORTH, TEXAS, July 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the Dallas-Fort Worth Regional Transportation Council (RTC) announced that it will explore hyperloop technology for two major transportation initiatives across the state. This announcement follows a recent visit to Virgin Hyperloop One’s full-scale test track in the Nevada Desert, where the delegation examined the next-generation technology firsthand, and met with engineers at the company’s Innovation Campus in Los Angeles. Hyperloop is a new mode of transportation that allows vehicles to travel at very high speeds with minimal aerodynamic resistance by operating in a low pressure environment utilizing next-generation magnetic levitation technology. “The RTC is all about bringing innovation to the transportation system in the Dallas-Fort Worth region and hyperloop would be an exciting technology to add,” said Gary Fickes, Tarrant County Commissioner and Chair of the Regional Transportation Council. “I think the future’s very bright for hyperloop and its use in the Dallas-Fort Worth region.” “The Dallas-Fort Worth Regional Transportation Council has proven itself as forward-thinking agency that wants to give its region a competitive edge by leveraging next-generation technology,” said Rob Lloyd, CEO of Virgin Hyperloop One. “Virgin Hyperloop One is excited to pursue these projects, which would transform what are now separate metropolitan areas into one economic megaregion connected by high speed transport.” Dallas, Arlington and Fort Worth Environmental Impact StatementLater this year, the RTC will issue a Request for Proposals for a consultant team to complete the Tier 2 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a high-speed corridor connecting Dallas, Arlington and Fort Worth. The RTC wants to consider both hyperloop technology and traditional high-speed rail in the environmental study of the route. A preliminary analysis by Virgin Hyperloop One engineers estimated a six minute hyperloop trip between Dallas and Ft. Worth. “As our region grows from 7.2 million people now up to 11.2 million by 2045, we are planning a transportation system that offers choices to our residents. Adding an option like hyperloop to the existing system of roadways, rail transit, bicycle/pedestrian facilities and high-speed rail to Houston would expand the system in an exciting way,” said Michael Morris, P.E., Director of Transportation for the North Central Texas Council of Governments. “Connecting other regions in Texas through hyperloop would open up economic opportunities throughout the state.” Fort Worth - Waco - Temple-Killeen - Austin - San Antonio - Laredo Feasibility StudyIn addition, the RTC has provided funding and has obtained additional funding commitments to undertake a conceptual feasibility study of high-speed technology including hyperloop to connect Fort Worth, Waco, Temple-Killeen, Austin, San Antonio and Laredo. This corridor will be requested to move into a more detailed Tier 2 EIS following the feasibility study. Press AssetsTo view video footage from the Dallas-Ft. Worth Regional Transportation Council on-site visit to Virgin Hyperloop One’s Test Facility, as well as hyperloop testing footage click here . Virgin Hyperloop One media images can be accessed at: www.hyperloop-one.com/media-gallery. About The Dallas-Ft. Worth Regional Transportation CouncilThe Regional Transportation Council (RTC) of the North Central Texas Council of Governments has served as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for regional transportation planning in the Dallas-Fort Worth area since 1974. The MPO works in cooperation with the region’s transportation providers to address the complex transportation needs of the rapidly growing metropolitan area. The Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area includes Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Hood, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant and Wise counties. The RTC’s 44 members include local elected or appointed officials from the metropolitan area and representatives from each of the area’s transportation providers. More information can be found at www.nctcog.org . About Virgin Hyperloop OneVirgin Hyperloop One is the only company in the world that has built a fully operational hyperloop system. Last year, Virgin Hyperloop One set a historic test speed record of nearly 240 miles per hour (387 kilometers per hour, 107 meters per second) on only 300 meters of acceleration during testing at DevLoop, the world’s first full-system hyperloop test site located in North Las Vegas, Nevada. The hyperloop will differ from other fixed guideway modes of transportation by offering on-demand solutions and no fixed schedule. Passengers will be able to depart as soon as they arrive. The system will be dynamic with the ability to deploy pods based on up-to-the-second data points that continually optimize departures and arrivals. For more information, visit www.hyperloop-one.com .
Attachments
Antonia Gray FTI Consulting: Director, TMT Americas +1 (347) 574-4352 antonia.gray@fticonsulting.com Ryan Kelly Virgin Hyperloop One: Head of Marketing and Communications +1 (610) 442-1896 press@hyperloop-one.com Amanda Wilson North Central Texas Council of Governments: Program Manager, Public Involvement and Government Relations +1 (817) 695-9284 awilson@nctcog.org
