Govind Tekale
TransPod, a Toronto-based start-up, is developing an ultra-high-speed ground transportation system called FluxJet. Representing a pathway to a sustainable transportation future, the features of an aircraft and a train are combined in FluxJet.
Faster than a jet and three times faster than high-speed trains, the FluxJet can achieve speeds exceeding 620 miles per hour. Aiming to revolutionize transportation infrastructure, FluxJet is planned to be operated on a station network in major cities by TransPod.
The company has secured $550 million in funding for an $18 billion infrastructure project connecting Edmonton and Calgary in Alberta, Canada. Annually, the infrastructure project is expected to reduce 636,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions.
Using outdated technology for over 50 years, profitability challenges are faced by passenger railway companies. Sebastian Gendron, CEO of TransPod, emphasized the need for improvement in the transportation industry.
FluxJet by TransPod incorporates contactless power transmission and an aerodynamic system to reduce friction, based on the physics concept of “veillance flux “. Powering the vehicles and building the required infrastructure are among the key considerations for TransPod.
In order to test and optimize the performance of FluxJet, simulation technology from Dassault Systems is utilized by TransPod. FluxJet can carry up to 54 passengers, 2 passengers in wheelchairs, and 10 tons of cargo. Similar to Virgin’s Hyperloop, stations in major cities and departures every 2 minutes will characterize the Trans Pod line.
The cost of traveling on the TransPod line is expected to be approximately 44% lower than a plane ticket. The TransPod employs digital mockups and virtual simulations to ensure the product can withstand real-world scenarios.
Collaboration and digital collaboration tools are crucial for TransPod’s multi-disciplinary teams located in different countries. It is expected that up to 140,000 jobs will be created and $19.2 billion will be contributed to Canada’s GDP through the construction of the TransPod line in Alberta.
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The project aims to reduce CO2 emissions by around 636,000 metric tons per year. Demonstrating confidence from investors and governments, momentum for TransPod’s project has been provided by recent financing of $550 million.
Showcasing its flight capabilities, a scaled-down FluxJet model was presented at an event in Toronto by TransPod. The company successfully executed a take-off and landing procedure within its guidelines during the demonstration.
TransPod’s CEO, Sebastian Gendron, expressed confidence in the technology and the support received from stakeholders. The first operational line of the TransPod system is expected to require a decade of effort, including two years of full-scale testing. TransPod is scheduled to commence construction on the first segment in 2024.
