710688Innovative Intermodal Urban Freight Transport SolutionClosedGRD Proof of ConceptInnovate UKUrban supply chains suffer from, and are a significant contributor to, road congestion. The loss of business efficiency, increase in air pollution, damage to the road network etc. are estimated to cost the UK economy £32bn/year. The Mole Urban Concept is aimed at reducing the level of road freight within urban areas by linking two proven congestion impact reduction methods (edge of city Consolidation Centres and inner city based electric vans) with pipelines carrying capsules, each capable of carrying two full sized pallets. Whilst the benefits of freight pipelines are readily appreciated, the capital cost and development timescales are considered major viability concerns. This project aims to establish the business case for a specific urban location and a realistic timetable for development. It builds on previous studies by Mole Solutions (MSL) for the transport of bulk products: 1) DEFRA funded/DfT managed study to assess the feasibility of freight pipelines to transport aggregates, 2) a Smart Proof of Concept Grant and 3) a Development of Prototype Grant; output being an operational demonstrator in 2014. These have shown that individual technologies are available, the innovation comes from combining these into a very cost effective, socially acceptable and low environmental impact freight solution. The demonstrator attracted interest from the public sector; the potential for freight pipelines within cities. Northampton Councils, LEP and University are all keen to understand the feasibility of modifying the bulk concept to a pallet carrying system for Northampton. This would provide a model for urban applications globally. This project will: a) establish technology changes required from the bulk demonstrator system, b) determine limits of economic viability (capital and operating costs, capacity utilisation), c) estimate the socio-environmental impact for different scenarios, d) identify ‘barriers to change’ & e) prepare a realistic development programme.