Why the future of delivery will be underground

In an era dominated by e-commerce and expectations for same-day delivery, our roads are buckling under the weight of countless delivery vehicles.

The environmental and economic costs are staggering: Traffic is responsible for 24 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, while congestion cost the U.S. economy an estimated $87 billion in 2018 alone. As we grapple with pressing questions about climate change, sustainability, and serving a growing population, innovators are turning to an unexpected place for solutions: the Underground.

While drones and autonomous robots have captured the public imagination, a quieter revolution is brewing beneath our feet. Companies around the world are developing automated microtrains, conveyor systems and distribution networks – all underground – to transport packages quickly and efficiently.

It may sound like science fiction, but the concept has deep historical roots.

From the pneumatic tubes of 19th-century department stores to Chicago’s vast network of freight tunnels in the early 20th century, underground transportation has long fascinated engineers and city planners. Now, armed with cutting-edge technology, a new generation of visionaries is imagining these ideas on a grand scale.

Underground logistics

British startup Magway is at the forefront of this underground renaissance. Their system uses linear magnetic motors to propel cargo containers through meter-wide tubes at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour. With zero emissions and the ability to move 1,200 railcars per minute, Magway’s technology promises to revolutionize urban logistics.

The company’s recent demonstration at Wincanton’s W2 innovation centre in England was the first time its system had been tested outside of a plant, and the results were impressive.

Magway’s approach combines the traditional concept of underground conveyor systems with pioneering technology, potentially enabling larger-scale networking than ever before.

In response to a rapidly aging population and looming labor shortage, Japan plans to build a massive, 310-mile automated underground transportation system between Tokyo and Osaka.

The $26 billion project, scheduled for completion in 2034, could prove key to maintaining the country’s logistics potential in the face of demographic challenges.

Japan’s Ministry of Transport and Tourism has proposed introducing a fully automated system that would directly respond to the country’s declining population.

Official figures show Japan will lose about 837,000 people in 2023, the largest annual loss since records began in 1950. The working-age population has plummeted from 87 million in 1993 to 75 million in 2018. The ministry forecasts that after the intervention, 30 percent of shipments shipped in 2030 will be deliverable due to labor shortages.

The Swiss Cargo Sous Terrain (CST) is the most ambitious project underway. This vast network of six-meter-diameter tunnels will connect major Swiss cities with 500 km of underground freight routes by 2045.

CST estimates this could reduce truck traffic by 40 per cent, which would significantly reduce CO2 emissions and noise.

Test drilling for the project will begin in 2023 on the first 70-kilometer section from Härkingen to Zurich. Operations are planned to start in 2031.

The system will use driverless automated transport vehicles that automatically pick up and deposit loads from ramps and elevators connecting above-ground distribution centers to the underground network. The tunnels will be divided into three lanes and will operate 24 hours a day.

By adopting existing infrastructure for drop-off points, CST will connect to the crucial last mile of delivery infrastructure that reaches people’s homes, alongside the air, rail and sea connections required for imports and exports. The project is estimated to cost £35 billion and is expected to be completed in 2045.

Challenges and potential

While these projects hold great promise, the road ahead is not without obstacles. Multibillion-dollar price tags and unproven technology at such a large scale pose significant risks.

Previous attempts at revolutionary transportation systems, such as Virgin Hyperloop and Elon Musk’s Hyperloop project, serve as cautionary tales. Both suffered from semi-abandonment, leaving behind very expensive infrastructure.

But the potential benefits are just as staggering. Beyond the environmental benefits, underground freight systems could reshape our cities, freeing up space for green spaces and housing and allowing satellite towns to flourish. City planners could prioritize human-centered design in our built environments as congestion eases.

The benefits of new underground freight infrastructure would herald positive changes. Reduced road traffic contributes significantly to environmental goals for the entire planet.

Reduced commute times mean that satellite towns further away from city centres and established hubs will be able to flourish and grow. People-centred design of the built environment will be easier to achieve by removing the heavy burden of logistical requirements, meaning green areas can be reclaimed and new housing could be created in redeveloped infrastructure.

Historical Context and Future Implications

The concept of underground transport was introduced earlier. The Channel Tunnel, located 75 metres below sea level, transports more than a million trucks and about 2 million passenger vehicles between England and France each year.

On a smaller scale, pneumatic vacuum tubes have been used in large shops and supermarkets since the 19th century. The “Prague Pneumatic Post”, the world’s last surviving municipal pneumatic mail system, consisted of some 55 km of underground pipes and operated from 1889 until it was disabled during the European floods of 2002.

These historical examples demonstrate the long-standing fascination with underground solutions. But the current crop of projects represents a significant step forward in scale and ambition. They aim to address logistical challenges and pressing societal issues such as climate change, urbanization and demographic change.

The success of these projects could have far-reaching implications for the way we design our cities, manage resources and approach sustainability.

But with so many challenges yet to be explored, keeping a close eye on these projects is key. The engineering hurdles are significant and the financial risks high. But if successful, these underground networks could revolutionize logistics and help us build more sustainable cities.

With growing pressure to reduce our environmental impact and create more sustainable urban spaces, these underground solutions offer a tantalising glimpse of a possible future.

A future where our streets are less congested, our air is cleaner, and our cities are designed for people, not vehicles. It’s a vision taking shape beneath our feet, promising to change the way we think about transportation, urban planning, and sustainability.