Towards energy-efficient, intermodal freight transport

With the aim to optimise the performance of intermodal logistic chains and to contribute to a more efficient European transport, the research project TELLISYS started in December 2012 with the support of the European Commission. The project seeks to create an “Intelligent Transport System for Innovative Intermodal Freight Transport”. Within the interdisciplinary European consortium, the prototypes for a new intermodal family of loading units (MegaSwapBoxes), a super low deck tractor and the suitable trailer have been designed and constructed.

The TELLISYS consortium has identified differentiated members of a family of MegaSwapBoxes to address the requirements of specific market segments, while fulfilling specific European transport requirements such as height and weight. In addition, the new super low deck tractor unit and the purpose-built tyres contribute to the optimization of the cargo volume of the MegaSwapBox by allowing the maximization of the insight height while keeping the system at 4m maximum height on the road.

During more than two years the TELLISYS consortium has closely worked together to present the most suitable solution for this very challenging task: from the market and lead user analysis, to the definition, design and construction of each component. The intermodal concept has also been tested and evaluated showing financial advantages — with cost savings of up to 15 % — over other current transport systems and having a significant reduction of CO2 equivalent and an increase of 25 % environmental efficiency (kg CO2-Eq).

The result of the project is: A complete volume optimised intermodal combination, including a family of new intermodal loading units developed to address different use cases (the MegaSwapBox, the Automobile MegaSwapBox and the Intercontinental MegaSwapBox). Thereby TELLISYS generates a market-oriented intermodal technology concept that opens new opportunities for intermodal transport in Europe and abroad and that meets the EU's demand for more energy-efficient, low-emission logistics networks.