Engineering news
Mole Solutions, which describes itself as private development company, has started trialling a freight pipeline concept which uses customised capsules to move goods around, that could be built beside or under existing or new transport infrastructure.
As part of the company's concept, which aims to reduce transport congestion, the underground freight capsules would be electric-powered and under full automatic control. The "mole" concept involves propelling bulk goods through pipelines powered by magnetic waves.
The University of Northampton is analysing likely demand for the Mole system.
Professor Andrew Gough, from the university, said: "The opportunity to couple a low-impact, sustainable transport system with additional services, such as remote stock-holding, could transform a town centre – by allowing businesses to make better use of space.
"A retail outlet could free up to 20% extra space by relocating its stockroom to the terminus of the Mole, then using the Mole to provide a 'little and often' replenishment service.”
The idea of moving freight transportation underground is also being investigated in Germany as part of the CargoCap project. It would see fully automated and electrically powered vehicles, so-called Caps, travelling through underground pipelines which have a diameter of just two metres, at a speed of 36km per hour.
Professir Dietrich Stein, chief executive of CargoCap, said: "Due to its subterranean traffic routing and electrical propulsion, CargoCap makes extremely low demands on space and causes practically no emissions.
"The negative impacts on the population caused by traffic congestion, respirable dust and noise pollution, as well as the subsequent economic consequences, are reduced."
CargoCap said the pipelines would be created by a process of 'pipe jacking', an eco-friendly standard technique used in sewer construction. Stein said: "The space above ground during construction is small. Residents and traffic are not disturbed and damage to adjacent constructions, trees and pipelines is avoided."
CargoCap has been testing out its transport concept using a model track. It hopes to launch a pilot project to demonstrate the functional capability in the near future. However, taking these underground concepts from design to implementation will require substantial investment. CargoCap estimates each kilometre of pipeline would cost about €3.2 million.
Stein said: "Debates around the world show that the common challenges when it comes to planning sustainable cities is how to reconcile demand for freight and passenger mobility, while reducing congestion, traffic accidents and environmental impact. I do not know any other solution which is able to realise this."