Pods4Rail - D2.2 Evaluation/ Benchmark of Available and Conceptional Multimodal Mobility Systems

Abstract

The deliverable constitutes the outcome of Task 2.2 within Work package 2. Activities of this task aim to evaluate existing multimodal and intermodal mobility systems and new approaches under development with a focus on (but not limited to) groundbound systems. In order to carry out the activities, first, a comprehensive overview of existing Pod systems and, with a particular focus on rail-compatible ones, handling systems and other relevant systems was carried out. Secondly, an in-depth assessment of these systems, was conducted based on a set of characterisation parameters that were defined for this project and considering four different value categories according to the guideline VDI 3780. Thirdly, an exploratory and qualitative user analysis was conducted to investigate key user acceptance aspects of a potential future Pod system. The technological evaluation revealed that no single existing system or development concept stands out as a clear benchmark for Pods4Rail development, underscoring the significance of the research in Pods4Rail. However, several features and technologies from the reviewed concepts emerged as potential benchmarks for Pods4Rail's development, both from rail related systems and from road and ropeway bound designs. In alignment with this finding, the evaluation of the handling safety uncovered a noticeable shortcoming of current rail-related Pod systems. The economic evaluation has shown that the compatibility of the systems with existing infrastructure is a critical criterion. This requirement has directly ruled out several potential benchmark concepts. Another key aspect revealed by the economic assessment is related to the optimization of efficiency, focusing on maximising both the payload to tare weight ratio and capacity while keeping manageable transport unit (vessel) dimensions. The environmental evaluation revealed a clear trend showing economic efficiency and environmental quality criteria more overlapping rather than competing factors. Additionally, concerns about noise emissions could not be evaluated in this phase, but should be addressed in the Pod development. The primary challenge was limited data availability on most analysed concepts due to an early development stage of these concepts, demanding numerous parameter estimations. Additionally, while the majority of the systems analyzed were of European origin (reflecting the current market landscape) our research did include some American and Asian Pod-like vehicle concepts and handling systems, such as Toyota ePalette, Parallel Systems and RailRunner. Nonetheless, the Asian market appears to be catching up, as evidenced by Kia recent development of a roadbound Pod concept published at the CES 2024 after the submission of this document. There is also an observed bias towards roadbound Pod systems in current research. The collected multimodal systems should be taken into consideration as precursor systems for the project goal of the development of an intermodal mobility system (see also D2.1 Definitions). User interviews revealed a recurrent theme: The desire for an environment friendly means of transport. Equally appealing was the notion of seamless mobility, entailing intermodality without the need to transition between modes, with a preference for a ground based gliding system. In conclusion, it can be stated that to comprehensively assess the technological landscape, it is essential that this top down vision should be combined with a bottom up analysis of Use Cases. The findings pave the way for future Work Packages in Pods4Rail, especially to WP4 Socioeconomic Evaluation and Requirements, WP11 Concept development for traffic coordination of Pods systems, and WP13 Concept for the handling, loading/unloading technologies.