Switzerland Will Soon Build An Autonomous Underground Freight System

Beginning next month, Switzerland will officially break ground on its autonomous underground freight transportation network, which was given the go ahead by the country’s parliament late last year. 

According to IEEE Spectrum, the US$3.4 billion concept—named Cargo sous terrain (CST)—will make use of underground cargo tubes with automated delivery carts to transport goods between cities at 30 km/h (18.6 m/ph). 

By using the underground network, the nation will be able to expand its freight transport system without having to build new roads or rail networks, which are already reaching capacity limits. 

Plus, the site noted freight tunnels require less space, and can operate at slower speeds than passenger trains, with the CST expected to reduce the number of heavy trucks on the roads by up to 40%. 

Interestingly, as per Interesting Engineering, despite being underground, the transport system can also be used for food and chilled goods with the use of refrigeration-compatible vehicles, while an overhead track can be built within the same tunnel to send across smaller items. 

The first phase of the plan will see a 70 km (43.4 mile) section built from Zurich to Härkingen-Niederbipp in the west of the country by 2031, with the rest of the network scheduled to be operational by 2045. 

100% of the power used to operate the system will come from renewable energy sources, making this endeavor an even more sustainable one, especially with its end goal of relieving 30% of delivery traffic and 50% of noise emissions from Swiss roads. 

Take a look at how the network works below.

[via Interesting Engineering and IEEE Spectrum, cover image via Cargo Sous Terrain]