Evacuation of an Hyperloop pod in a long tunnel

One of the main challenges when designing an Hyperloop tube and pod is evacuation of people inside the pods, especially in long tunnels. Use of long tunnels becomes relevant for Hyperloop in "mountainous areas" like Norway. Hyperloop demands high speed resulting in a stiff curvature; small inclinations in the vertical plane and large curves in the horizontal plane. Log tunnels for Hypeloop faces similar challenges as automotive, railways and metros have with respect to evacuation in confined areas like in tunnels. In this paper we have studied relevant legislation and standards for other relevant transport domains, especially the railway domain. We have also evaluated the differences in design and operation between Hyperloop and other transport domains. Based on these evaluations, suggestions for relevant risk-based requirements for evacuation, and initial solutions, of an Hyperloop tube and pod, in a long tunnel, has been suggested.

Keywords: Hyperloop, tunnel, tube, pod, evacuation, requirements, legislation.