Imagine traveling from Orlando to Miami in 26 minutes. Orlando and Miami are in the final rundown of global cities competing to be the first to bring a high-speed travel system between two major metros.
Hyperloop One would transport passengers in a tube to their destination. It was developed by Tesla and SpaceX when Elon Musk got the idea after sitting in traffic.
Hyperloop One was tested last month in a Nevada desert and reached nearly 200 mph in about five seconds, and that speed could drastically cut the five-hour drive it takes to get to Miami now.
"We especially get a significant greater amount of visitors from Miami coming to us, because of what we have, of course, no one else has,” said George Aguel with Visit Orlando
The Orlando-Miami connection was largely chosen because of demand between the two metros. Even though bullet trains and mag-trains have been floated before, the Hyperloop could be more than a pipe dream.
"We've seen so many announced, or concept projects, even for the Orlando area that never came to fruition, but when we see a name like Elon Musk, I think we could really see this as a reality,” Aguel said.
Hyperloop hopes to have three routes operational by 2021.
There are only three other U.S. cities in the running; the rest are cities in the United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico and India.
Cox Media Group