Global Engineering Solutions Review

Hyperloop is an emerging next generation transportation technology that has the potential to revolutionize intercity transportation with its ultra-high speed capabilities, energy efficiency, and sustainable operations. With Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiatives progressing, there has been growing interest in innovative transportation solutions, especially in the context of smart city and infrastructure development projects. The aim of this review was to investigate the operational and safety readiness of Hyperloop adoption in Saudi Arabia by assessing the maturity of the technology, the infrastructure needed, safety concerns, regulatory aspects, and the national readiness. The methods used was a narrative review of peer reviewed journal articles, conference papers, government reports, industry papers, and international transportation reports from 2020 to 2026 which included 26 studies. Literature was retrieved using electronic search and themed according to the following categories: operational readiness, safety readiness, infrastructure needs, regulatory aspects, and the Saudi Arabian context. The results show that Hyperloop technology has come a long way in terms of automation, propulsion and digital infrastructure. But there are significant issues with infrastructure spending, safety certification, emergency preparedness, cybersecurity and regulatory standardization. Saudi Arabia has a number of strategic strengths such as Vision 2030 projects, smart city projects like NEOM, government support, and the growing digital infrastructure, all of which, when combined, make the Kingdom ready for future adoption. Saudi Arabia has the potential to implement Hyperloop successfully, but there are still challenges related to operational, safety, and environmental considerations that need to be overcome, which will require further technological advancements, pilot testing, and public-private partnerships, as well as international cooperation.