Evaluation of Applications and the Comparison of Routes for Underground Freight Transportation in Texas

Freight transportation by trucks constitutes approximately 80% of total freight transportation in Texas and it is expected to approximately double by the year 2040. Social and environmental costs are adverse impacts of moving freights by trucks. Automated underground freight transportation (UFT) significantly reduces these negative impacts and is more sustainable method of freight transportation. UFT includes close-fitting capsules carrying freight through underground pipelines between terminals. Being able to use a part of the underground space of the existing right-of-way of highways, especially interstate highways, will greatly facilitate the construction of pipelines and reduce their construction costs. The application of UFT in Texas and comparison of routes and methods were discussed through establishing a stakeholder committee. This paper presents results of the stakeholder committee selection, meetings and small group discussions for this project. A survey of stakeholder committee provided their support and feasibility of the UFT system, which will be presented in this paper.