PARALLEL Systems and Arc Infrastructure of Australia have unveiled the prototype of their new Hiivr Rail system, comprising autonomous, battery-powered wagons to move containers within ports and terminals.
Hiivr Rail was presented to government and industry officials on December 7 at the Kenwick Rail Freight Facility, owned by Arc Infrastructure, which operates a 5500km freight network in Western Australia.
The new system has been developed for the future Westport container port in Perth, with the aim of replacing fossil fuel-powered lorries and loaders, while offering automatic integration with logistics systems and real-time visibility of container movements.
Hiivr Rail wagons can also be coupled together to form an autonomous freight train. The new system will be tested on main lines in Australia, with the aiming of integrating it with Arc Infrastructure train control systems.
“Westport presents a once in a lifetime opportunity to design a port with capability to support emerging technologies which represent the evolution of freight transportation,” says Arc Infrastructure CEO, Mr Murray Cook.
“Hiivr Rail has the potential to offer many benefits for Western Australia, including emissions reduction, enhanced road safety and local rail manufacturing.”
The autonomous system uses off-the-shelf technology that could be adapted and assembled locally in other countries. Two Genesee & Wyoming shortlines in the US state of Georgia have already applied for Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) permission to test the new system next year.
