Can adding the 5th Transport Mode - Capsule Pipelines enable Physical Internet, 15-minute City, Circular Economy, Automatic Retailing, and reduce Climate Impact?
Author(s)
Wandel, Sten
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Abstract
Vehicles on streets dominates last-mile transport. With increased e-commerce congestion, emissions, and cost increase. Delivery boxes and sidewalk robots reduce cost, but congestion prevails. Air drones reduce congestion but cannot take the expected volumes and are weather sensitive. Water and rail are not omnipresent. Underground pipes are used for transport of water, sewage, and gas, and was 1853- 2002 used for transport of mail in capsules in 44 large cities. Pipes are now used in hospitals for capsules with test samples, blood, and medicine.
This project explores reinstallation of capsule pipelines for the general public. It reduces traffic and operating cost. It can accommodate very large volumes but requires large investments in infrastructure. A 5 kg capsule can, in many cases, automatically do the same job as a motor vehicle with 500 times larger mass and a driver. In one scenario, 30% less traffic and CO2, the freed space paid for installation of the whole system 1.6 times, and cost reductions resulted in a payback period of less than one year. The pipes can also be used for storing which reduces need for space in buildings and enables automatic retailing.
Finally, recommendation for further R&D are proposed.
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Date
2023-06
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Resource Type
Text
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Paper