The hyperloop challenge for tunnelling: higher productivity and lower costs

Abstract

Triggered by the potential challenges of providing supporting infrastructure for future very-fast ground-transport systems such as hyperloop, the British Tunnelling Society carried out a year-long research and thought-leadership project into ways of increasing productivity and reducing costs of tunnelling. This paper describes the research and its findings. It also lists tunnel projects that might become technically viable with greater productivity and lower costs. Proposals are made for the direction of future work, noting that a broader commitment from all stakeholders in tunnelling projects will be needed to achieve significant improvements.