Automating Movement of Freight

A concept is introduced for a new mode of freight transportation in which general cargoes are “pumped” through underground or under-water pipelines. The concept itself is not new, but a recent technical breakthrough has transformed the technology to a point where tube freight could become a cost-effective alternative to surface freight, in particular, to truck and air freight. Although the study of this new mode is at the conceptual level, only the concept is based on an extensive body of knowledge, developed for pneumatic capsule pipelines for moving granular products, a well-proven technology backed by considerable operational experience. Tube freight has the potential to displace many long-haul trucks from U.S. highways. The principal driving forces are economics, safety, energy-conservation, and environmental impact. The system operates automatically under computer control, and deliveries are precisely predictable for meeting just-in-time production requirements. Preliminary studies suggest that tube freight is technically and economically feasible. The technology involved is state-of-the-art and nothing new needs to be invented. The major obstacle to tube freight’s implementation is that the concept is little known, and even less understood, by the transportation community.