Assessing Multimodal Mobility Systems for Benchmarking Rail-Bound Intermodal Pods in ERJU's FA7-Projekt Pods4Rail

Abstract

A Pod system, defined as a detachable capsule-chassis vehicle concept operating within a seamless, decentralized and autonomous transport system, presents an innovative solution to transportation challenges. ERJUs FA7 project Pods4Rail aims to explore an intermodal rail-bound autonomous Pod system and its autonomous transshipment onto road and ropeway modes, serving passenger, freight and combined transport needs, using mainly installed infrastructure. This study evaluates several multimodal Pod systems, analyzing their technical, economic and environmental attributes, along with user needs. The findings reveal a lack of a clear benchmark for Pods4Rail, underscoring the projects significance. Nevertheless, features from various concepts hold potential as benchmarks. Additionally, the safety of handling systems in cargo rail-bound detachable systems requires improvement in order to be applied on passenger Pods. The initial economic evaluation shows that the compatibility with existing infrastructure is a critical criterion, as well as its payload and capacity. Environmental criteria align closely with those of economic efficiency, but special attention should be drawn to noise emissions during transshipment. Moreover, exploratory Future Thinking interviews revealed potential users positive attitudes towards Pods, their assumption that this technology would meet their transport needs and could contribute to mitigate the transport sector’s negative impact on the environment.