Parallel Systems is building autonomous electric rail for short-distance freight

Summary

The business of moving goods in the United States is dominated by trucks, which handle about two-thirds of the 20.2 billion tons of freight that’s transported annually. Parallel Systems founder and CEO, Matt Soule, wants to change that by putting a modern autonomous and electric twist on the centuries-old railroad system. The Los Angeles-based company is building battery-powered autonomous freight technology that works with existing freight cars and integrates with existing train control software. Soule’s pitch: Parallel’s system makes it less expensive for companies to use rail — not trucks — for short-distance deliveries. Rail has been traditionally underutilized because trains are typically powered by large and expensive locomotives that pull hundreds of freight cars at a time over long distances, Soule explained to TechCrunch. Businesses often turn to trucks for moving freight shorter distances. Parallel Systems developed a system that allows train cars to attach and detach autonomously. This means companies can use Parallel’s tech for a variety of different delivery sizes and humans don’t have to manually connect and disconnect the cars — a dangerous process. Parallel’s tech also allows freight cars to brake significantly quicker than existing trains, Soule added. “We’re using a different physical architecture to accomplish truck competitive economics at small scale rather than big scale,” Soule said. “The vehicle itself is compatible with existing rail infrastructure. It is designed and being demonstrated to operate alongside traditional rail operations. We’re not proposing to replace existing freight trains with this.” Parallel’s tech fits on existing freight cars.Image Credits:Parallel Systems Parallel recently was approved by the Federal Railroad Administration to start piloting the tech in Georgia. This program will allow the company to test its tech-enabled trains along a 160-mile stretch between the Port of Savannah in Savannah, Georgia, and multiple dis...