EU member states join hands to jointly agree on standards for hyperloop systems. The standards should lead to high safety standards for Hyperloop systems in Europe and ensure systems are compatible with each other.
A new technical committee called JTC 20 has been set up as part of the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) and the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation (CENELEC). A range of international hyperloop companies are involved in standardisation: Hardt Hyperloop (Netherlands), Hyperloop Poland (Poland), TransPod (Canada) and Zeleros Hyperloop (Spain).
Monitor interoperability
The consortium expects that as more players enter the hyperloop market and the embrace of the transport system increases, different visions of the hyperloop system will emerge. This could impact the interoperability of infrastructure, hyperloop capsules, signalling and other systems. If hyperloop systems are not compatible with each other, this could make cross-border travel difficult for both travellers and goods.
The parties want to avoid this by creating European standards, specifications and methodologies for hyperloop systems. The creation of JTC 20 is an initiative of the Spanish standards organisation UNE and the Dutch NEN.
Working groups
The technical committee will consist of working groups focusing on different components of hyperloop systems. These include vehicle systems, tube infrastructure and components, overall infrastructure and communication protocols. Members of national standards organisations and experts from different industries can participate in these working groups.
Research centres on hyperloop systems are planned in several EU member states. For instance, research centres in France, Poland, Spain and the Netherlands will open their doors in the next few years. These centres will test and validate the technologies and standards developed by JTC 20. After successful validation, the recommendations will be presented in a legislative proposal to the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
