Questions and answers

Nevomo develops the next generation of High-Speed Railroads (HSR), based on magnetic levitation, linear motor and autonomous control systems, which can be subsequently transformed into a vacuum version. We are the only company in the world able to gradually implement hyperloop-inspired solutions as an upgrade for the railroad industry.

The Hyper Poland team was created in 2015, and the company was founded in 2017. In 2020 it was decided to change the name to NEVOMO.

Nevomo is in no way affiliated with Elon Musk and SpaceX. Elon Musk was the creator of the modern concept of hyperloop, but our company is only partly inspired by this idea. However, part of the team had the opportunity to meet him during the finals of the SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition in the USA, in which our student team participated twice.

The MagRail system is a unique magnetic rail technology operating on existing railroad tracks at a speed of 300 km/h - 550 km/h. This hybrid solution allows both magnetic vehicles and conventional trains to operate on the same lines. Our last stage - vacuum railroad (hyperloop) will require new, dedicated infrastructure and vehicles will move at speeds up to 1200 km/h. The subsystems tested in the first two generations will be used here.

Our solution is to modernize the existing tracks with a linear motor installed between the existing rails and with levitation plates mounted on the sides of the track. The linear motor has a form of a third rail mounted on the track axis and will be used for propulsion and braking of vehicles. Levitation plates will be used to lift the vehicle above the surface and to stabilize the vehicle sideways. As for the existing magnetic rail solutions, both presented solutions (Transrapid and JR Maglev) require a long process of building a completely new, expensive infrastructure. They are also active systems, which means that to obtain levitation it is necessary to directly supply energy to electromagnets both in the vehicle and on the track. Our system is passive - levitation is the result of vehicle movement. A train at a certain speed will automatically start pushing itself away from the track.

Higher operating speed

The increased speed of cargo transport creates unprecedented possibilities of transporting goods on rail lines with delivery between distribution points even on the same day. The development of fast transport can contribute to economic growth and social development, especially in developing countries where technology can modernize outdated rail infrastructure with optimal financial outlays.

Increasing the share of railroads in transport

Restoring the competitiveness of existing railroads by modernizing existing conventional infrastructure to the high-speed rail standard and high-frequency travel will lead to the takeover of a significant proportion of freight from road and air. Currently, road transport accounts for 75% of the market. The greater share of rail freight is a better macroeconomic situation and a solution for European transport growth, as rail has 12x lower external costs for society than road transport.

Ecology and health

Reduced use of heavy-duty vehicles translates into lower air pollution, especially CO2, noise reduction, less road congestion and fewer accidents. This results in a higher quality of life and a reduction in the incidence of civilization diseases. Assuming that 30% of the current road freight market is taken over by rail, we will avoid 1 million additional trucks on the road and generate an economic profit of EUR 100 billion due to lower external costs. We will also avoid emissions of 290 million tonnes of CO2 and 45,000 premature deaths by 2030 (https://www.railfreightforward.eu/sites/default/files/usercontent/white_paper-30by2030-150dpi6.pdf)

Completion of the construction of the vehicle and first full-scale test track in Nowa Sarzyna, Poland is planned for mid-2022.

Rete Ferroviaria Italiana, the Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane Group company responsible for managing the national railroad infrastructure in Italy, and Nevomo, have signed an MoU to develop MagRail technology. This agreement is focused on knowledge sharing and analysing the Italian railroad network to assess the technical and economic feasibility of implementing MagRail technology on selected routes. The agreement also mentions technology acceleration, aimed at integrating it with the railroad system.In line with these activities, RFI and Nevomo will apply for funding from the EU to conduct the first full-scale MagRail system pilot on a test track in Bologna San Donato, which is owned by RFI. This will be the last stage of testing, which is expected to trigger the conformity assessment procedures needed to implement the MagRail technology commercially.

Hyperloop is an innovative magnetic vacuum rail system. This is a completely new technology that uses the advantages of both rail and aircraft. What distinguishes it is its work in a vacuum environment, high speed of a vehicle (up to 1200 km/h) and no contact with the ground during movement.

The main purpose of introducing a new means of transport - hyperloop - is to take over traffic from road and air transport - currently the dominant means of long-distance movement of people and goods in the European Union. It is estimated that in the first place, there will be a decrease in truck traffic - mainly transporting loads for logistics and industrial companies, and then, with the developed network of passenger connections, there will be a reduction in the use of road vehicles and a reduction in air connections over distances of 200-1000 km. The system itself has a chance to fill a gap between rail and air connections. It will be used where traveling by train is becoming burdensome and flight by plane is unprofitable due to the long-time needed to travel to and waiting at the airport.

The investment and construction process will be burdened with similar environmental challenges as the construction of bridges or viaducts. However, further exploitation already slightly interferes with the environment. The key is the lack of direct pollution emissions into the atmosphere. Due to the use of closed tunnels, it is particularly important to eliminate collisions with the transverse movement of road or rail vehicles. This increases the level of safety for people, but also animals.

The comfort of driving a hyperloop will be comparable to that of a small passenger jet. We are planning to work on a passenger module simulator, which is necessary to conduct behavioral tests and show the conditions inside it while driving.

The passage of the capsule has no significant effect on the expansion of the track structure. The idea behind the vehicle’s structure is to leave behind the capsule the same condition as it is in front of it. Analyzes show that the condition inside the pipe depends much more on the local atmospheric conditions outside the pipe than the processes inside it.

The vacuum will be maintained using a high-performance vacuum pump system that will be installed at appropriate intervals along the entire route.

The structure of the tunnels will be made of steel, which ensures tightness on the surface of the segment. All expansion joints between the segments will be made as airtight. Trips to passenger and service stations will be carried out by locks. As a result, a reduced pressure environment will be maintained throughout the line. The tightness of the pipe will be monitored along its entire length, which will ensure quick location and removal of any leaks.