WA freight rail network manager Arc Infrastructure has unveiled an Australian-first prototype autonomous rail wagon designed for potential use in the future Westport network.
Western Australian freight rail network manager Arc Infrastructure has unveiled an Australian-first prototype autonomous rail wagon designed for potential use in the future Westport network.
The battery-powered wagon is designed to move shipping containers directly from vessels to a future network of intermodal freight terminals, as outlined by the state’s initial plans for the multi-billion-dollar Westport project unveiled last week.
The Westport vision includes upgrades to existing intermodals at Kenwick, where Arc is based, and Forrestfield, as well as a new Kwinana intermodal near the site of the future shipping port.
If commercialised the wagons would move autonomously, individually or in groups, along the freight rail network with each carrying a single shipping container.
The wagon concept, dubbed Hiivr Rail, was developed in conjunction with US-based Parallel Systems.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the concept was closely linked to the state's Westport vision.
“Today is all about how we build a brand new port but also in the future, how we can make it as clean and as efficient as possible,” she said.
Ms Saffioti said initiatives such as Hiivr wagons would be vital in helping the government achieve its target of 30 per cent of freight-onto-rail transport of shipping containers.
“These types of initiatives are about how we can be far more efficient in moving our freight around WA, but also given its power through battery, it’s far more green when it comes to achieving our ambitions in reducing carbon emissions,” she said.
Arc chief executive Murray Cook said the wagon prototype was conceptualised and designed over three years with Westport front-of-mind, and had the potential to unlock intermodal sites inaccessible using current technology.
“We can imagine intermodal terminal locations which have a constrained footprint and cannot accommodate a full-length train being unlocked by the Hiivr wagon,” he said.
“The wagons produce zero greenhouse gas emissions, the batteries can be charged with one hundred per cent renewable energy, and they would see a large number of trucks removed from the roads.”
Mr Cook said there was potential for the Hiivr wagons to be assembled at Bellevue or other sites within WA.
Arc will now move to develop an interface of the wagon into its existing train control network.
Speaking to Business News following the prototype’s demonstration run on the tracks at Kenwick, Westport managing director Patrick Seares said the port’s long-awaited business case was being prepared with future technology like the wagons in mind.
“Westport is a very long-term program that’s happening at a time when there’s so much technology and innovation happening in the world,” he said.
“On the one hand, what we have to do is plan for the technology we know, but we need to leave the door open for technologies that might come into play.
“We’ve been working with Arc Infrastructure and Parallel Systems to talk about when we would need to make sure technologies like this are available to be built into designs and development, in terms of the timelines for Westport.”
Westport’s business case, which will include key details around cost and timelines, is expected mid-2024.
Upgrades to facilitating infrastructure, including early works on freight rail, will take place in advance of the facility’s construction at the site adjacent to the shore of the existing Kwinana Bulk Terminal.
