Underground Transport System: An Unconventional Solution

Welcome back,

This edition of Mobility Insights takes a deep dive beneath the surface as we shine a spotlight on the potential of tunnel and underground traffic systems to revolutionize urban mobility. As cities continue to struggle with increasing congestion and limited surface space, the idea of utilising the underground realm for transportation infrastructure gains momentum. So, fasten your seatbelts as we embark on this underground drive.

In 1863, London introduced the Metropolitan Railway, marking the initiation of the world's inaugural underground line. The primary motivation behind this development was to alleviate congestion on the city streets. The origins of this underground system can be traced back twenty years earlier when the construction of the first-ever tunnel beneath the Thames River took place. This tunnel gained rapid popularity among pedestrians and became a significant tourist attraction.

Building upon this historical context, one notable advocate of underground transportation infrastructure is Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and founder of The Boring Company. Musk's latest vision involves constructing vast networks of tunnels to ease traffic congestion for electric vehicles in major cities. A recent article highlighted the current state of this project, focusing on the Las Vegas underground tunnel system known as the LVCC Loop. This system, spanning approximately 1.7 miles beneath the Las Vegas Convention Center, aims to provide transportation during large conventions. While the tunnel system has received positive feedback from some users, the implementation of this idea faces more challenges than expected.

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While Elon Musk's ambitious idea ran into a dead end, another project is making significant progress. It is the Cargo Sous Terrain (CST) in Switzerland, which aims to develop a fully autonomous and zero-emissions transport system for small cargo loads. The CST project envisions a series of underground tunnels with a diameter of around 6 meters (20 feet) and a flat floor divided into three lanes. Small cargo pods will travel at speeds of approximately 30 km/h (18.6 mph) along these lanes, autonomously navigating their way. These pods, equipped with electric motors and powered through induction rails, will revolutionize the transportation of goods.

One of the most impressive aspects of the CST project is its commitment to minimizing disruption to citizens' daily lives. The tunnels will be nearly invisible and run on renewable energy, ensuring a minimal environmental impact.

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Thanks for reading. Stay tuned for the next edition of Mobility Insights.

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