Hyperloop One released never-before-seen images of its development site (‘DevLoop’) in the Nevada desert at Middle East Rail, held in Dubai.

Providing the international keynote address at the 11th annual conference, CEO of Hyperloop One, Rob Lloyd, shared a bird’s-eye view of how construction is progressing at the world’s only full-system and full-scale Hyperloop test site.

The 500-meter-long DevLoop, which has a diameter of 3.3 meters, is located 30 minutes from Las Vegas in the Nevada desert. The company is expected to perform a public trial in the first half of 2017. The DevLoop trial follows Hyperloop One’s first public test of a prototype propulsion system, which took place in the same area less than twelve months ago in May 2016.  

Speaking at the conference, Lloyd also shared the company’s vision for how Hyperloop One could transform the future of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) with a faster, more efficient and cleaner system of mobility.

“Tying together the Middle East region would produce greater virtual density, without congestion and pollution, spurring innovation, productivity, job growth and more powerful sharing of knowledge, labor and investment," said Lloyd. "Building a Hyperloop would vastly impact the economy and make any major city in the GCC accessible within one hour.”

Benefits of Hyperloop include higher standards of safety than a passenger jet, close to half the construction and lower maintenance costs than high-speed rail and energy usage that is similar to a bicycle per kilogram-kilometre, according to the company. Hyperloop One estimates that around 4,000 vehicles travel every day between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with traffic congestion in Dubai costing the economy $800 million in lost working hours. Reducing this commute to 12 minutes opens a whole new realm of options and Hyperloop One shows an investment in a UAE Hyperloop network could unlock economic value 3.5 to 4 times over high speed rail, officials said.

Held in Dubai on March 7-8, 2017, Middle East Rail brings together more than 350 construction and engineering companies, contractors and solution providers, regional and international railway operators to offer their services and present their plans for the future systems of transportation.