Innovative Intermodal Container

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The motivation for this project is to make high-speed, low carbon rail based logistics with electrically powered delivery vehicles more accessible and cost effective for urban and extra urban low carbon logistics and the UK home delivery market and beyond (The European Commission reports that HGVs are responsible for 25% vehicle emissions and 6% of total EU emissions).The pandemic conclusively demonstrated the future dominance of home deliveries which became the default shopping method during lockdown. Specifically businesses such as supermarkets and online retailers were stressed due to double handling of shipments in multiple warehouses and driver shortages. Handling was also impeded by social distancing measures.Our innovation is a modular intermodal container for light delivery vans. It can be transferred between road and rail by forklift and can also be loaded at passenger stations by cross docking. It fits on a small 3.5 tonne electric (or conventional) delivery van chassis and up to 4 could be accommodated on a conventional intermodal rail wagon which can run at up to 90mph.The project is split over 6 work packages which include specification, engineering and construction of prototype equipment and market engagement and customer demonstrations. We have expressions of interest from major retailers via their rail freight service providers.