Futuristic High-Speed Tube Travel Could Take You From New York to Los Angeles in 45 Minutes

[Socialistlemur]

10. There's a misconception at acceleration versus speed

The travelers will experience one g when the capsule is traveling at constant speed. Anything at constant speed on earth experiences about one g. But to accelerate to several thousand km per hour they'll have to impose some force and this will push the passengers back. The same effect will take place when decelerating. This is an old concept, it requires the pipe be kept completely evacuated, and the capsules have to carry their own air supply. Switching the capsules will be a neat trick, and if the system fails and a capsule hits the wall the passengers may turn into human jelly.