Technologies - Self-propelled freight cars

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Self-propelled freight cars

evaluated

For smaller quantities of cargo the conventional production system in railways is cost and time-consuming due to train formation and freight handling processes. This problem could be solved by making freight trains more truck-like, i.e. replace long loco-hauled trains by self-propelled freight cars and eventually driverless operation.

Technology field: Increase of load factor and flexible trains



General information

General criteria

	Status of development: test series
		There are historical examples for self-propelled freight cars (e.g. the VT 20.5 in the 1930s). In recent times, there have been many steps in this direction, especially the CargoSprinter, a small train unit consisting of two powered and three non-powered cars. At the moment R&D concentrates on the systematic concepts (telematics etc.) behind self-propelled driverless freight cars, such as the SST concept (signal-controlled traction unit) or SOG (self-organised freight transport). Recently there has been a test of the SST concept involving a small loco-hauled train circulating on the railroad track Salzgitter - Wolfsburg (Germany) for freight transport between two Volkswagen plants.

	Time horizon for broad application: in > 10 years
		(no details available)

	Expected technological development: highly dynamic
		A cost-effective design and layout of self-propelled freight cars is a future challenge for R&D. For the driverless operation of self-propelled freight units there exists no mature system yet. This problem seems principally solvable by future R&D.

	Motivation:
		Competition Meet the requirements of changing freight markets and win back market share from road transport. Make present production system in rail freight transport more cost-effective.

	Benefits (other than environmental): big
		Cost efficiency No drivers, point-to-point transport, no cost-intensive cargo transport centres freight handling. Time efficiency Point-to-point transport, no time-intensive coupling and reloading processes. Customer service In the future the customer himself could send self-propelled cars on their way whenever and whereever desired. The goal is to make sending freight for the customer as easy as mailing a letter.

	Barriers: high
		Transition costs and system inertia The introduction of self-propelled and self-organising freight cars would represent a system change in rail-bound freight transport. Not only high transition costs but also uncertainties about the new system constitute high hurdles. Initial costs The load-specific initial investment would presumably be higher for powered freight cars than for the loco-hauled production system. Safety A fleet of self-organising driverless freight cars operating on a mixed infrastructure poses a number of serious safety problems that are currently being studied.

	Success factors:
		(no details available)

	Applicability for railway segments: high
	Type of traction: not applicable
	Type of transportation: freight
		(no details available)

	Grade of diffusion into railway markets:
	Diffusion into relevant segment of fleet: 0 %
	Share of newly purchased stock: 0 %
		(no details available)

	Market potential (railways): highly uncertain
		If barriers are overcome, potential for self-propelled freight cars is huge.

	Example:
		(no details available)

Environmental criteria

Economic criteria

Application outside railway sector (this technology is railway specific)

Overall rating