Container Terminal Resource and Performance Comparison of Self-Propelled Autonomous Railcars and Conventional Intermodal Trains

Abstract

As demand for intermodal freight transportation in the United States continues to grow, it is essential to develop strategies that enhance the capacity and operational efficiency of transporting containers by rail. Self-Propelled Autonomous Railcars (SPARCs) are one promising technology to enhance rail/road intermodal rail service, and this study quantifies their potential terminal area, resource, performance, and energy benefits in comparison to conventional trains (CTs). An integrated analysis framework was developed that combines high-level infrastructure layout optimization with simulation of operational-level terminal congestion to evaluate terminal performance in terms of container processing time and energy consumption. Various output metrics were compared for SPARCs and CTs across different train/vehicle configurations and daily throughput volumes. The results indicated that SPARCs consistently outperformed CTs in both spatial and temporal efficiency. From a strategic planning perspective, typical CT lengths required nearly three times the yard footprint of the shortest SPARC platoons to process the same number of containers. From an operational perspective, SPARCs achieved shorter processing times for both inbound and outbound containers, experienced lower train delays, and required fewer resources for equivalent throughput. Delay function coefficients fit to power functions indicated that CTs were more sensitive to train frequency, leading to earlier system saturation under limited resources. Furthermore, to achieve comparable processing times, CTs required significantly more terminal hostlers than SPARCs. Based on these results, SPARCs offer greater flexibility and energy efficiency than CTs for low-volume short-haul corridors, making them a promising alternative to expand the network reach of future intermodal freight rail systems.