Integrated Urban Mobility (IUMO)
IUMO reimagines public transport. Instead of trains, high-speed platoons of autonomous electric vehicles glide through a single Crossrail tunnel, moving in millisecond-precise formation. Called on demand through an app, each vehicle takes passengers straight to their destination with no stops. This continuous, steady flow makes IUMO twice as fast as current underground trains, using half the infrastructure and a third of the energy. It’s a simple vision: a cleaner, faster, demand-led system that could transform how cities move.
1. Introduction
How will mobility evolve in the next 100 years?
IUMO envisions the next generation of public transport
2. Speed
Passengers on IUMO will arrive at their destination twice as fast.
Twice the Speed
While trains travel on fixed schedules and stop at every station, IUMO’s AEVs are on-demand. Passengers are grouped into vehicles by destination and complete each journey from start to finish without stopping. The anticipated IUMO wait time is based upon a pre-booked journey.
3. Infrastructure
IUMO halves the amount of tunnel needed and allows for more efficient station infrastructure.
Half the Infrastructure
While Crossrail 2 requires two tunnels and stations of the same length regardless of local demand, IUMO fits all travel in one tunnel and has platform sizes tailored to the stations’ individual needs resulting in less capital investment for infrastructure.
4. Energy
IUMO runs on less than a third of the energy of Crossrail 2 trains.
Energy Efficiency
The compact nature of the system and AEVs amount to significant energy savings and less environmental impact compared to Crossrail 2. Nimble AEVs are 3.5 times more efficient and require less energy to transport passengers than traditional trains. The compact nature of the IUMO system also amounts to less construction and materials for tunnel and platform infrastructure, thus minimizing the overall environmental impact of the project.
5. Dromos x PLP Labs
Dromos has developed its Autonomous Network Transit, the revolutionary high volume mobility solution for 21st century cities.
Envisioned light infrastructure for autonomous vehicles in an evening urban context
Small autonomous and electric vehicles running on demand at short headways achieve passenger throughput until now only feasible with rail or BRT solutions. Like all high-volume public transport, Dromos operates on own dedicated infrastructure which allows for safe and fast service.
Envisioned light infrastructure for autonomous vehicles in a daytime urban context
6. Conclusion + Credits
IUMO offers a cleaner, faster, demand-led system that could transform how cities move.
PLP Lead Researchers
Contributors
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