Can you imagine travelling to school at over 100 miles an hour? That is exactly what fifteen-year-old Peter Cooper imagined when he entered this year's Innovation Tournament on Sustainable Transportation organised by Greenrock.org in conjunction with Global Entrepreneurship Week.

The Saltus Grammar School student was one of five finalists in the competition, won by Michelle Wales with her idea for reducing commuter traffic and congestion in Hamilton by relocating Government offices to the ends of the Island. Runner-up was Harry Mathie with a proposal for car-pooling incentives. Third-place-winner Simon Hodgson proposed prioritised traffic signals for buses.

Though Peter didn't get any of the considerable prize money ($1,500 for first, $1,000 for runner-up and $500 for third), he did get recognition from the judges for being "unbelievably poised for his age" and for "the polish of his presentation and his research".

Judge Matt Bradfield, head of BIOS Bermuda Bioenergy Project, commented, "Special recognition should be made of Peter Cooper for a very well presented and very well thought-out train project."

The fact that he was competing against adults impressed the audience as well.

Each of the seven-minute presentations was judged on how well they met the challenges of Bermuda's unique circumstances, how well they caused a reduction in fuel consumption and vehicle emissions and how widely the proposal could be applied.

Peter imagined an elevated magnetic levitation train, the Inductrack, running from Ferry Reach in the east to a Palmetto Road terminus and from Barnes Corner in the west to East Broadway on the outskirts of the city. There would be stops at Bailey's Bay and Shelly Bay, and Camp Hill and Ord Road. Shuttles would carry commuters further east and west, though Peter noted that the western end of the Island was already well served by the fast ferries. The trains would be powered by solar energy and would run through the existing railway trails.

Though Peter's presentation was described as "fantastic, really well done," it was deemed by the judges not practicable because of the very high cost of building the rail – both financial and environmental in terms of visual impact.

The youngster was encouraged to enter the competition by physics teacher, Steve Briggs, described as "inspirational" by Peter's mother.

"My physics teacher told me about [the competition]," Peter explained. "And at half term I stumbled across the Inductrack on the Internet and thought that it looked good. I would've had a normal maglev if I hadn't come across this. This is so much better for Bermuda."

Research also included looking at census figures for population distribution throughout the Island and cycling and walking the Railway Trail to examine the feasibility of using the existing trail and observing possible complications.

"It seemed exciting to try and come up with something," Peter noted when explaining his interest in the competition. "The prizes are an incentive. Also having something of your own to show is nice."