Thornton Tomasetti invests in HyperloopTT following completion of risk and safety assessment

HyperloopTT and Thornton Tomasetti began work on a broad operational safety and security assessment in 2020. It focused on evaluating the performance of key system elements under extreme loading conditions arising from accidents and intentional threats. With capsules travelling up to 1,200 kph (760 mph), faster than the cruising speed of a Boeing 777, the high-speed nature of the hyperloop system and its operation within a low-pressure environment presents unique technical considerations.

Founded in 1949, Thornton Tomasetti has completed more than 90k projects across multiple industries in over 150 countries, and is a leader in performing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and solid mechanics analysis and safety assessments. Thornton Tomasetti performed detailed simulations of various conditions, including thermodynamics, gas dispersion, capsule and battery safety, blast and impact effects on supporting infrastructure and material selection and characterisation. It also demonstrated how risk mitigation measures can be implemented across the system to enhance safety. The results will inform the next design iteration of the key system elements and their deployment.    

The successful assessment follows the release of the completed safety guidelines for hyperloop systems with TÜV SÜD, which define critical core safety requirements for hyperloop systems, and the publishing of the Risk Report with partner Munich Re that concluded hyperloop technology is feasible and insurable.

The financial backing and risk and safety assessment from Thornton Tomasetti takes HyperloopTT another step closer to achieving its goal of creating the world’s fastest, most efficient, and most affordable end-to-end transportation solution.

Andrés De León, the CEO of HyperloopTT said: "Passenger safety is the most important part of any transportation system. We have placed this principle at the core of our design by utilising best practices from rail, aviation and other analogous industries and employing the expertise of leading professionals in these fields. The completion of this latest safety analysis done in partnership with the experts at Thornton Tomasetti allows us to move on to the next stages for our passenger and freight systems.”

Pawel Woelke, principal leading the project at Thornton Tomasetti, said: “Because hyperloop is a completely new system, the technical challenges require innovative thinking. Working closely with the HyperloopTT team, we systematically assessed the risks and developed multiple first-of-its-kind, practical solutions aimed at risk reduction.”