Design and Operation of Autonomous Freight Transportation Systems

26 Pages Posted: 31 Aug 2018 Last revised: 8 Aug 2019

See all articles by Sirwan Shahooei

Sirwan Shahooei

University Of Texas at Arlington

Mohammad Najafi

University of Texas at Arlington

Siamak A Ardekani

University of Texas at Austin - College of Engineering

Date Written: November 21, 2018

Abstract

The demand for freight transportation is on the rise as a result of population growth, increase in the need for energy, and the expansion of global trade. Existing infrastructure for freight transportation seems inadequate for future growth, and new facilities are required to cover the deficiencies in cargo movement. Underground Freight Transportation (UFT) is a new mode of transportation that uses the space below the ground to carry cargo within individual vehicles in tubes and pipelines. Different propulsion systems have been used for freight pipeline systems. The goal of this research is to find the proper propulsion system for the UFT system. In addition, this research aims at finding the minimum power of the propulsion system and energy consumption for the UFT system operation. Two short-haul and long-haul UFT systems with different load sizes are used to test and apply the results of this research. The findings of this research suggest that because of its light weight and short thickness, a Linear Induction Motor (LIM) is the most appropriate propulsion system for UFT. Besides, this research estimates that the energy consumption and power requirement of a LIM system is low. The energy consumption of LIM system is calculated as a function of UFT system operating speed. Therefore, the results of this research can be applied in the design, operation and cost estimating of other UFT systems.

Keywords: Freight Transportation, Freight Pipeline, Underground Transportation, Capsule Tube, Autonomous Transportation, LIM

Suggested Citation

Shahooei, Sirwan and Najafi, Mohammad and Ardekani, Siamak A, Design and Operation of Autonomous Freight Transportation Systems (November 21, 2018). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3237151 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3237151

Sirwan Shahooei (Contact Author)

University Of Texas at Arlington ( email )

Arlington, TX
United States

Mohammad Najafi

University of Texas at Arlington ( email )

415 S West St Apt no 205
Arlington, TX 76019
United States

Siamak A Ardekani

University of Texas at Austin - College of Engineering ( email )

1 University Station
Austin, TX 78712-1179
United States

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