Electric rail vehicles to undergo autonomous trials in the US

author: FutureCar Staff    

Autonomous electric rail vehicles are set to be trialed in the United States, following the country's success with self-driving cars. In this particular trial, however, the traditional concept of a 'train' is absent.

Los Angeles-based company, Parallel Systems, has developed this innovative rail transportation system. Founded in 2020 by former SpaceX engineers, the company aims to move freight in a cleaner, safer, and more cost-effective manner than traditional trucks. The battery-electric rail vehicles are equipped with their own battery, traction motor, computer, and sensors, allowing them to move independently along the rail. However, for greater efficiency, they are expected to travel in groups of 10 to 15, transporting standard shipping containers as a single or double stacked load.

Compared to articulated lorries, these vehicles use only 25% of the energy and offer the lowest operational cost in surface freight transportation. As a result, Georgia Central Railway and Heart of Georgia Railroad have applied to the Federal Railroad Administration to pilot this technology on portions of their rail lines. They believe that this technology has the potential to capture new container business, revive traffic on rural rail lines, and reduce carbon emissions by removing trucks from the roads.

It is important to note that the main goal of this new technology is to shift freight off the road, rather than being a new way to move rail freight. However, it is expected that rail freight will also benefit from this innovation. The autonomous rail cars are designed for relatively short journeys, typically around 500 miles, which is the distance they can travel on a single charge. Charging these vehicles takes only one hour, making it a non-limiting factor.

Parallel's platoons of autonomous rail vehicles differ from traditional freight trains in that they do not require large quantities of freight to be economically viable. This allows them to offer a more responsive service and a wider range of routes.

While safety is a major concern with driverless cars, Parallel Systems claims that their system is even safer than the alternative. The vehicles are equipped to quickly detect hazards and can stop up to 10 times faster than a train. The closed network of railroads is well-suited for autonomous technology due to its limited track access and centralized traffic control.

If approved, the pilot for this technology will commence next year.

FutureCar Staff