Economically, to make it profitable, then I am not certain it can work in the United States.
The Hyperloop is running in a vacuum tube.
* We have the ability to evacuate air from a tube, to low air pressure levels.
* We have the ability to build space craft that can operate in a vacuum.
* We have the ability to build a maglev, to propel the pod.
* We have the ability to build nuclear power plants, to energize the maglevs. I don't think solar or wind will create enough electricity to meet production usage demands.
Given all that, it's now starting to sound like an economical non-starter.
The United States just doesn't have enough people to make this work economically. It sounds cheaper to just go with a maglev. And you can get up to 300 to 400 mph if you push it. This is almost comparable to an airplane, but more comfortable. And the volume of people you transport can be a lot higher.
And all the Hyperloop plans are regional. One for Houston. One for Chicago. One for Virginia. This means that each location is fiscally responsible for themselves. But for some locations, then there is not enough people to economically sustain it. A national system may work, as it will allow some lines to be profitable, and this will balance out the lines that are not profitable. So the entire national system may eke out an operating profit.
And then, there is all the land rights that you have to buy up. Just look at how expensive the California high speed rail project is costing.
And all the tunneling and bridging that must be done.
And the designs only show two tracks running in parallel, but I think they actually need 3 tracks, in the event one track breaks down. This adds to the costs, but I don't see anyone suggesting this, or even thinking about it.
And they need to design contingencies in the event something breaks down. Americans do not like new technology things that kill people. One disaster may kill the entire project.
And, what about the science of the sonic boom, as the pod crosses the sound barrier. Given this is propelled through a vacuum tube, at lower air pressure levels, then will a sonic boom be generated?
All of this is now starting to sound really expensive. All this research is going to cost a lot of money. No company can really afford that, except maybe Apple. The US government is not interested in footing the R&D bill.
Then again, I could be completely wrong. And once again, Elon pulls a rabbit out of a hat, and comes to the rescue.