#8 The Fifth Mode of Transport: The Underground Revolution

About Dominik Cajochen Dominik is a seasoned professional with a proven track record in global operations and supply chain management. Currently serving in the executive board and as Head of Market + Operations at Cargo sous terrain, he has extensive leadership experience, including roles at SABMiller, Sony Music and Procter & Gamble. He holds a Master's degree in International Studies from the University of Geneva and has furthered his executive education at Ashridge Business School. Dominik lives with his wife and his two children in Zurich, Switzerland. About Cargo Sous Terrain Cargo Sous Terrain is an innovative underground transport system designed to efficiently move goods between cities. It involves a network of tunnels and intermodal cargo hubs, reducing traffic congestion and environmental impact. The system aims to optimize logistics, improve supply chains, and enhance urban livability by minimizing the need for trucks on roads. It has the potential to revolutionize the transportation of goods, enabling faster and more sustainable delivery across various industries. www.cst.ch/en/ My key takeaways Switzerland maintains the leading position in Europe for its extensive rail network, although transporting single wagon loads remains unprofitable. The Cargo Sous Terrain (CST) project offers an innovative and alternative perspective to the current discussion between road and rail transport systems. Integrating road and rail with completely new infrastructure could maximize benefits and provide a sustainable solution to meet the increasing mobility demands, especially in urban areas like Zurich. Subterranean transport systems could effectively meet the need to transport smaller shipments from the outskirts of urban areas directly to city centers, thereby reducing surface traffic congestion. Large shipments could be transported seamlessly to logistic hubs via rail (and road), resulting in an ideal integration of transportation methods. As in the transition zone of a triathlon, the efficiency of the CST pods' transitions will be more crucial than their top speed. CST pods are designed to travel at speeds of around 30 km/h and can carry two European pallets. The entire operations are designed to be completely CO2-neutral The introduction of a small pipeline within the tunnel for CO2 transport from industrial sources is a crucial step towards achieving a climate-neutral status. Public engagement is essential for establishing the legal framework needed to realize projects like Cargo Sous Terrain. Construction activities for such projects are expected to generate roughly 2,000 trains annually for the next 25 years, hence a major customer for railfreight in Switzerland. Even ambitious projects of this magnitude could potentially be financed through private investment. [email protected] www.railup.club