Elon Musk told why he started drilling tunnels Bashny.Net

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Traffic congestion is a problem not only of cities, but to smaller cities. Over time, this problem is getting worse. What could be the solution? Google and several other companies believe that to help to overcome the problem of unable flying cars. Larry page has even created a startup Zee.Aero, who is developing vehicles of the new type. But not everyone agrees with this point of view.

In March of 2015, Elon Musk said that flying cars he finds interesting project, because he likes all the flying. But to solve the problem of traffic jams, in his opinion, not up in the air, but rather going down into the ground. This idea was expressed in a half-joking form, and was perceived as a joke. But Musk wasn't kidding — he said very seriously, although the smile on her face. This became clear two years later when the head of SpaceX and Tesla Motors has created another company and The Boring Company (TBC). She will work to establish transport tunnels at a depth of 15 metres and below.

"Drill, that's what we do," said Musk in 2016. "I'm really going to do this." His words were true: Musk already began to dig, planning to create a test tunnel. First, he digs it out on the court, owned by SpaceX, to avoid problems with the law and not to waste time for a permit on the conduct of land operations. But when (and if) the tunnel will go beyond the SpaceX site, the permit will still have to.

Traffic is driving me nuts. Am going to build a tunnel boring machine and just start digging...— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 17, 2016
About the tunnels Elon Musk began to think after a few times caught in a traffic jam in Los Angeles. After some time, formed a clear idea, and after a brainstorming Musk realized what's about to be an underground transport system. He acquired the domain BoringCompany.com created the company and put at the head of its leader — Steve Davis, senior engineer for SpaceX. Together with other staff members, they drew the contours of his project. According to the team, to solve the transport problems of cities in the problem from the point of view of traffic settlements need to create a tiered network of underground road and rail tunnels. With regard to Railways, we are not talking about the subway and on the tracks for high speed trains Hyperloop.

Musk with his project as the best suited to implement one of the plans for the new US President Donald trump. Politician, an ardent admirer of the creation of new elements of transport infrastructure. Here podrazumevaetsya the construction of highways, bridges, airports and tunnels. The intention to engage in the creation of new roads, airports and other transportation infrastructure elements trump said even at his inauguration. Private companies working in this area now began to receive investment. For example, a small company Blackstone and Carlyle received $40 million for the development of their projects relating to transport infrastructure.

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Source: Bloomberg Businessweek (issue February 20-26,)

Musk always wanted a lot, and transportation is no exception. And now he decided to try his hand in this project. TBC — fully independent from the other projects. So far, no clear business model, employees with full employment. As to the first, clearly, the main role is played by government investment. In the case of obtaining them will not hesitate to come and staff. Well, in order that the state has provided funding, officials need to show something. And that Musk will do now under construction at the test tunnel.

The businessman is going to improve, if not radically change, the technology to create tunnels. The head of SpaceX compares the current project, the company TBC, with a space industry. He was able to significantly reduce the cost of launching rockets into space, which allowed to conclude a contract with NASA for $1.6 billion. the author of the project believes that the transport infrastructure will be able to do the same — to reduce the cost of construction of tunnels, making them more modern. Sources close to the Mask, saying that TBC will be part of the transport initiatives trump.

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So now looks like the entrance to the next tunnel, which is going to dig Elon Musk

The tunnels he is going to dig by means of special earth-moving machine with a diameter of 7 meters and a length of 121 meters. This monster weighs about 1200 tons. Machine name female — "Nannie" (Nannie). By the way, the new system of this type cost about $15 million in the U.S., but the Chinese were able to develop a much cheaper aggregates for tunnel lining. As for the "nanny", it was developed and created by German company Herrenknecht. This unit is able to move under the earth at 7.5 cm / min, 90 m / week.

Experts believe that Musk is overly optimistic. A Professor from Oxford Flyvbjerg bent (Bent Flyvbjerg), long time studying large-scale infrastructure projects, says that the average cost of the project on creation of a bridge or tunnel usually increases by 32% in monetary terms compared with the planned figure. As for the time, in comparison with the plan, you normally have 22% more time.

The Professor supported the project Mask, saying that the idea has many flaws and is not entirely clear moments, but, overall, everything is feasible. Most importantly, he says, to optimize the construction process by using simple techniques. For example, to keep a large amount of spare parts, so you don't have long to stop the construction because of the expectation of the arrival of the next part. "This is the only sector of the economy that over the last 50 years has not improved productivity," says the Professor, referring to the transport sector. So, the Mask has to improve and improve.

Source: geektimes.ru/post/286004/