Investigating Factors Affecting Public Acceptance of Hyperloop Technology in Greece

Hyperloop, known for its ultra-high speed, energy efficiency, and low environmental impact, represents a promising innovation in future transportation systems. Despite the increasing interest in more sustainable mobility technologies, limited research has investigated public acceptance of hyperloop in Greece. The present study addresses this research gap by examining the factors influencing citizens’ acceptance of hyperloop technology in Greece through a structured questionnaire survey. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to identify the underlying dimensions of respondents’ perceptions while discrete choice models were developed to investigate the factors influencing respondents’ intention to use hyperloop. Results revealed that respondents’ preference for using hyperloop on the hypothetical 500 km journey was mainly influenced by: (a) experimentation with technology, (b) travel speed, (c) perceived readiness of Greece, (d) transportation quality, (e) frequent use of public transport, and (f) automation level. On the other hand, concerns regarding technology-related risks and environmental impacts were identified as barriers to acceptance. Additionally, the negative effect of income on acceptance differs from previous findings in the literature. This study highlights that the successful introduction of hyperloop in Greece requires strengthening public trust, improving technological awareness, ensuring infrastructure readiness, and promoting education regarding its benefits and challenges. The findings emphasize that social acceptance and perceived environmental benefits are important considerations for the integration of emerging transport technologies into sustainable mobility systems.