Hyperloop Transport Technologies (HTT) has brokered agreements with the North Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency and the Illinois Department of Transportation for feasibility studies pertaining to its mass transit technology. This work will determine whether or not it's practical to construct a route linking Cleveland with Chicago.
HTT CEO Dirk Ahlhorn described the collaboration as the "first real public-private partnership to bring Hyperloop travel to the US," according to a report from Tech Crunch. If it comes to pass, the Hyperloop would allow passengers to travel between the two cities in just 28 minutes.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in January 2018, Ahlhorn said that HTT's first track would be officially announced in 2018, and could be operational within three years. However, there's no indication that the Chicago-Cleveland line would be the company's top priority.
In September 2017, HTT came to an agreement with the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board which will bring a Hyperloop system to India. And although the timeline for construction is still not clear, Ahlhorn indicated during last month's address that Asia or the Middle East could be a smart place to start, economically speaking.
Of course, the company's various international projects are expected to develop alongside one another. HTT has already submitted a letter, supported by a number of congressional representatives, that requests federal funding for the construction of necessary infrastructure.
Between HTT and Virgin Hyperloop One, projects inspired by Hyperloop technology, and Elon Musk's plans for a high-speed railway system, there's certainly a lot going on in the sphere of public transportation. However, most of it is still in the planning stages – it will be interesting to see which initiatives break ground first.
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