U.S. DOT Releases Guidance Document for Regulation of Hyperloop

The U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) and the Non-Traditional and Emerging Transportation Technology (NETT) Council unveiled the guidance document on a clear regulatory framework for hyperloop in the U.S.

The regulatory guidance document for hyperloop is the first of its kind in the world, further proving that the U.S. intends to be the leader in the industry, according to the U.S. DOT.

“Hyperloop offers a truly unique opportunity to lead the world in 21st century transportation,” said Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group. “It takes strong vision to break away from the inertia of the status quo and embrace these opportunities. The announcement today will help lay the groundwork for the United States to take that leadership.“

Virgin Hyperloop has been working closely with the NETT Council over the last year and a half, since its creation in March 2019, to advance its technology and ensure that they are able to deploy hyperloop safely and quickly.

This historic announcement not only provides a pathway for hyperloop regulation and deployment in the U.S., but also establishes hyperloop’s eligibility for federal funding for projects.

“We have determined that these hyperloop projects are just as eligible for grant as any maglev or magnetic levitation project,” said Finch Fulton, deputy assistant secretary, transportation policy, during a live-streamed event. “This includes the Federal Railroad Administration Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program, the Office of the Secretary BUILD and INFRA grants, and programs of that sort. This also means that they would be eligible for some of the Department’s loan and lending programs.”

As an entirely new category of transportation, hyperloop will unlock exponential growth opportunities for cross-industry manufacturing and development jobs — across construction, aerospace, rail, automotive, aviation, electric vehicles, and autonomous control. Last month, Virgin Hyperloop announced a partnership with Spirit AeroSystems, one of the world’s largest aerospace manufacturers. Spirit AeroSystems engineers, fabricators, builders, supply chain and certification experts, and technicians will leverage relevant aerospace industry expertise to produce the hyperloop bogie — a clear example of adjacency opportunities in the sector.