Method of transporting passengers and freight, and associated transport network

Abstract

Passenger and freight transport method, and associated transport network. Passenger (1) and freight (14) transport method, the method comprising: - a freight transport stage, in which a rail vehicle (2), comprising a plurality of cars (10), is in a freight transport configuration (15), in which at least one car (10) of the plurality of cars comprises a transport area (12) dedicated exclusively to that freight (14) during the freight transport stage, and transports the freight (14) arranged within the transport area (12) from a first point (4) to a second point (6) distant from the first point (4); and - a passenger transport stage, in which the rail vehicle (2) is in a passenger transport configuration (17), in which the rail vehicle (2) exclusively transports the passengers (16). Figure for the abstract: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Method for transporting passengers and freight, and associated transport network

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for transporting passengers and freight.

[0002] It also relates to a railway vehicle configured to implement this transport method.

[0003] The present invention relates more particularly to the transport of freight and passengers by a railway vehicle, such as a high-speed vehicle (for example, above 200 km / h) or an urban railway vehicle such as a tram or a regional train.

[0004] There are rail vehicles exclusively dedicated to the transport of freight. The carriages have one or more transport areas dedicated to receiving freight. These vehicles travel from a first depot, where freight is loaded onto the rail vehicle, to a second depot, where the freight is unloaded. After unloading at the second depot, new freight is loaded onto the rail vehicle, or the rail vehicle travels, empty, to another depot to be loaded with freight.

[0005] There are also railway vehicles having areas configured to receive passengers exclusively and areas configured to receive freight exclusively, these areas being arranged in separate cars.

[0006] However, transporting freight by such rail vehicles is cumbersome and inefficient. Indeed, the rail vehicle must travel unloaded to reach a depot where the freight is loaded. This increases, for example, the overall energy consumed by the rail vehicle for freight transport. Furthermore, the operating costs of the rail vehicle per kilometer of actual freight transport increase due to these unloaded journeys.

[0007] This is also the case for vehicles having a transport area dedicated exclusively to passengers and a transport area dedicated exclusively to freight, since the respective areas remain devoid of passengers or freight during certain journeys of the rail vehicle.

[0008] One object of the invention is therefore to obtain a transport method which minimizes the movements of the rail vehicle without a load, and thus presents a higher efficiency.

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a method for transporting passengers and freight, the method comprising:

[0010] - a freight transport stage, in which a rail vehicle, comprising a a plurality of cars, is in a freight transport configuration, in which at least one car of the plurality of cars includes a transport area dedicated exclusively to that freight during the freight transport stage, and transports the freight arranged within the transport area from a first point to a second point distant from the first point; and

[0011] - a passenger transport stage, in which the rail vehicle is in a passenger transport configuration, in which the rail vehicle exclusively transports passengers located within said transport zone from the second point to a third point distant from the second point.

[0012] Such a process makes it possible to minimize the empty journeys of the rail vehicle, because the vehicle transports either freight or passengers in the same transport area, depending on a need for freight or passenger transport.

[0013] According to particular embodiments, the transport method comprises one or more of the following features, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0014] - the rail vehicle comprises at least one second distinct transport zone of the transport zone, the second transport zone being, in the freight transport configuration, dedicated to the reception of passengers for the transport of passengers within this zone from the first point to the second point.

[0015] - the second transport zone is, in the passenger transport configuration, dedicated to receiving freight for the transport of freight within this area from the second point to the third point.

[0016] - the transport area is arranged in the same car as the second area of transportation.

[0017] - the transport area is arranged in a first car and the second area of transport is arranged in a second car separate from the first car.

[0018] - each car in the plurality of cars includes a body defining a space interior in which the transport area is arranged, the container being, during the passenger transport stage, identical to the said container during the freight transport stage.

[0019] - the freight transport stage includes:

[0020] + a sub-step of loading the freight in the transport area devoid of passengers;

[0021] + a sub-step of moving the railway vehicle from the first point to second point; and

[0022] + a sub-step of unloading freight from the rail vehicle implemented by an autonomous robot.

[0023] - the method includes an urban transport step during which the freight is transported, from the third point, by means of urban transport, such as a tram, a bus, or an autonomous shuttle, to a final freight destination.

[0024] - the method includes a step of reconfiguring the transport zone of a freight transport configuration to a passenger transport configuration.

[0025] - the freight comprises a plurality of packages.

[0026] - the process comprising a freight preparation step, during which the packages are distributed into a plurality of transport crates according to the destination of each package, each transport crate being configured to receive several of said packages.

[0027] The invention also relates to a transport network comprising at least one rail vehicle, configured to implement a transport method as described above.

[0028] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] is a schematic representation of a transport network according to the invention, and

[0030] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a flowchart of a transport method according to the invention implemented by the transport network of the [Fig.1].

[0031] With reference to [Fig.1], a transport network 1 according to the invention is described, comprising at least one railway vehicle 2, a first point 4, a second point 6, and a third point 8 distant from each other.

[0032] Each of the first, second, and third points 2, 4, and 6 is, for example, a station, a warehouse, a factory, or a maintenance workshop for the railway vehicle 2. In the following description, points 4, 6, and 8 are designated as the first, second, and third stations, for illustrative purposes only. Those skilled in the art will understand that, according to other examples, each of these stations is a warehouse, a factory, or a maintenance workshop.

[0033] Following the example of [Fig.1], the same railway vehicle 2 is represented in the first, second and third stations 4, 6, 8, at distinct times.

[0034] According to certain embodiments (not shown), the transport network 1 comprises more than three stations. According to other particular embodiments (not shown), the transport network 1 comprises a single rail vehicle 2, two rail vehicles 2, or more than two rail vehicles 2.

[0035] The railway vehicle 2 is for example a high-speed train (or TGV), an urban train or a regional train, comprising a plurality of cars 10 each comprising a body 7 defining an interior space.

[0036] Each car 10 includes a transport area 12 arranged in the interior space.

[0037] In addition, each car 10 includes a second transport area 13 separate from the transport area 12, and arranged in the interior space.

[0038] For example, and as particularly visible in [Fig.1], a first car 10 includes the transport zone 12, and a second car 10 includes both the transport zone 12 and the second transport zone 13.

[0039] Alternatively, the second car 10 comprises only the second transport area 13.

[0040] The transport area 12 is dedicated, for a given period, either to freight 14 or to passengers 16.

[0041] By "freight", we mean, for example, cargo or goods transported in the transport network 1. For example, freight 14 comprises a plurality of packages 18.

[0042] Freight 14 is for example sent by a customer or sponsor who does not move with this freight in the transport network 1. For example, the luggage of passengers who travel in the rail vehicle 2 is not considered to belong to freight 14.

[0043] By "transport zone dedicated to freight", it is understood that the transport zone 12 is suitable for the transport of freight 14. The transport zone 12 dedicated to freight 14 does not receive passengers 16, but only freight 14. The transport zone 12 is thus devoid of passengers 16. When it is dedicated to freight, it is exclusively dedicated to freight.

[0044] By "transport zone dedicated to passengers", it is understood that said transport zone 12 is suitable for the transport of passengers 16. It receives only passengers 16, but does not receive freight 14.

[0045] Access rules to the transport zone 12 are defined, for example, depending on whether the transport zone 12 is dedicated to passengers 16 or to freight 14. When the transport zone 12 is dedicated to freight 14, no passenger 16 is allowed to enter the transport zone 12, and no freight is allowed in the zone 12 dedicated to passengers.

[0046] The transport area 12 is configured to comply with safety constraints for the transport of passengers 16 and safety constraints for the transport of freight 14.

[0047] Preferably, the transport area 12 includes a floor, not shown, having a non-slip surface suitable for both the transport of passengers 16 and freight 14.

[0048] The first, second, and third stations 4, 6, 8 are railway stations. Stations 4, 6, 8 include, for example, autonomous robots 20 and conveyor belts 22 for transporting freight 14 within the respective station 4, 6, 8. In the example of the [Fig. 1], the first and second stations 4, 6 each include an autonomous robot 20 and the second station 6 includes a conveyor belt 22.

[0049] The autonomous robot 20 is configured to transport the freight 14 to the rail vehicle 2 or to unload the freight from the rail vehicle 2. The autonomous robot 20 includes, for example, an electric motor, wheels configured to be driven by the electric motor, and a freight handling device configured to lift and transport the freight (elements not shown). In addition, the autonomous robot 20 includes, for example, a control unit (not shown) configured to control the motor and the handling device.

[0050] The conveyor belt 22 is configured to transport the freight 14 from the rail vehicle 2 into the second station 6. The conveyor belt 22 is preferably positioned at the floor height of the transport area 12.

[0051] The conveyor belt 22 includes, for example, a freight identification system 14, in particular for parcels 18. For example, the identification system includes a reader of a barcode or an RFID (radio-frequency identification) chip attached to each parcel 18.

[0052] The transport network 1 further comprises a depot 24 located away from stations 4, 6, 8, as well as road vehicles 26 configured to transport freight 14 from depot 24 to the first station 4.

[0053] The warehouse 24 includes, for example, a freight preparation system 28 for the freight 14 configured to distribute the parcels 18 of the freight 14 into a plurality of transport crates 30 according to the destination of each parcel 18.

[0054] Each transport crate 30 is in particular configured to receive a plurality of parcels 18, as shown in the example in [Fig.1].

[0055] The transport network 1 further includes urban transport means 32, such as trams, buses, or autonomous shuttles. According to the example in [Fig. 1], the transport network 1 includes a tram 34.

[0056] The urban means of transport 32 includes an urban transport zone 36 dedicated to the transport of freight 14. In particular, no passenger 16 of the urban means of transport 32 is allowed to enter the urban transport zone 36.

[0057] A method for transporting passengers and freight will now be described, with reference to [Fig.2].

[0058] The transport process is for example implemented by the transport network 1.

[0059] The transport process includes a freight preparation step 90 14, a step of road transport 100, a freight unloading stage 110 14, an intermediate transport stage 120, a freight transport stage 130, an urban transport stage 140 and a passenger transport stage 150. Stages 90, 100, 110, 120 and 140 are optional stages of the transport process.

[0060] During the freight preparation step 90, the packages 18 are distributed into the plurality of transport crates 30 according to the destination of each package 18. Each transport crate 30 thus receives a plurality of packages 18. The preparation step 90 is preferably implemented by a preparation robot (not shown).

[0061] Alternatively, preparation step 90 is carried out by an agent, possibly using a transport device, such as a pallet truck.

[0062] The preparation step 90 is preferably implemented in the depot 24 located away from the first, second, and third stations 4, 6, 8.

[0063] According to an unrepresented variant, the preparation step 90 is implemented in the first station 4, before the freight transport step 130.

[0064] According to another variant not shown, the preparation step 90 is implemented after the rail transport step 130, in the second station 6.

[0065] During the road transport stage 100, the freight 14 is loaded, preferably at the depot 24, into the road vehicle 26 and transported to the first station 4.

[0066] During the unloading step 110, an agent or the autonomous robot 20 unloads the freight 14 from the road vehicle 26.

[0067] During the intermediate transport step 120, the agent or the autonomous robot 20 transports the freight to the rail vehicle 2. When several rail vehicles 2 are parked in the first station 4, the autonomous robot 20 or the agent chooses the rail vehicle 2 according to the destination of the freight 14.

[0068] In particular, when the intermediate transport step 120 is implemented by the autonomous robot 20, the autonomous robot detects the destination of the freight 14 by reading information on the barcode or on the RFID chip attached to the freight package 18, and identifies the rail vehicle 2 whose destination is a region corresponding to the freight's destination. For example, if a first rail vehicle has a destination in region A and a second rail vehicle has a destination in region B distinct from region A, the autonomous robot 20 transports the freight 14 destined for region A to the first rail vehicle.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the autonomous robot 20 chooses the location of the freight 14 within the transport zone 12 of the rail vehicle 2 according to the destination of the freight 14.

[0070] During the freight transport stage 130, the rail vehicle 2 is in a freight transport configuration 15, illustrated in [Fig.1] for the vehicle in the first station 4. By "freight transport configuration 15", it is understood that the transport area 12 is dedicated exclusively to freight 14.

[0071] During this stage, the rail vehicle 2 transports the freight in the transport area 12, dedicated exclusively to this freight during the freight transport stage 130, from the first station 4 to the second station 6.

[0072] In addition, the railway vehicle 2 transports, during the freight transport stage 130, passengers 16 in the second transport zone 13.

[0073] The freight transport stage 130 includes a substage of loading 160 of the freight 14 into the transport area 12 of the rail vehicle 2, a substage of moving 162 of the rail vehicle 2 from the first station 4 to the second station 6, and a substage of unloading 164 of the freight 14 from the rail vehicle 2.

[0074] During the loading sub-step 160, the freight 14 is loaded by the autonomous robot 20 or by an agent in the transport area 12.

[0075] During the movement sub-step 162, the railway vehicle 2 moves from the first station 4 to the second station 6, preferably at a maximum speed between 200 km / h and 350 km / h.

[0076] When the rail vehicle 2 arrives at the second station 6, the rail vehicle 2 preferably transmits data concerning the type of freight 14 and the final destination of the freight 14 to a management system (not shown) of the second station 6.

[0077] During the unloading substep 164, the freight 14 is unloaded from the railway vehicle 2. For example, the autonomous robot 20 unloads all of the freight 14 from the railway vehicle 2. The autonomous robot 20 takes into account, in particular, data transmitted by the management system concerning the type of freight 14 and its destination during unloading.

[0078] Alternatively or in addition, the freight 14 moves on the conveyor belt 22 inside the second station 6.

[0079] Preferably, the duration of the unloading substep 164 of the freight from the rail vehicle 2 is less than or equal to three minutes. At the end of the unloading substep 164, the transport area 12 is free of freight 14.

[0080] During the urban transport stage 140, the freight 14 is transported, from the third station 8, by the urban transport means 32, to a final destination of the freight 14.

[0081] For example, the autonomous robot 20 transports the freight 14 to the urban transport means 32, and places the freight 14 in the urban transport zone 36. The urban transport means 32 then moves to a final destination for the freight 14.

[0082] According to a variant of the urban transport stage 140, the autonomous robot 20, carrying the freight 14, boards the urban transport vehicle 32. Then, the urban transport vehicle 32 moves towards the final destination, with the autonomous robot 20 loaded with the freight. Preferably, near the final destination, the autonomous robot 20 disembarks from the urban transport vehicle 32 and proceeds to the final destination.

[0083] According to another variant of the urban transport stage 140, an agent loads the freight 14 in the urban transport area 36. Upon arrival of the urban transport means 32 near the final destination, for example an agent unloads the freight 14.

[0084] According to an alternative method, after the unloading substep 164, the autonomous robot 20 transports the freight 14 into a storage system 38 of the second station 6.

[0085] During the passenger transport stage 150, the rail vehicle 2 is in a passenger transport configuration 17, illustrated in [Fig.1] for vehicle 2 in the third station 8. By "passenger transport configuration 17", it is understood that the transport area 12 is dedicated exclusively to passengers 16.

[0086] During this step, vehicle 2 transports passengers 16 arranged inside transport area 12 from the second station 6 to the third station 8.

[0087] In addition, the railway vehicle 2 transports, during the passenger transport stage 150, freight 14 in the second transport zone 13.

[0088] The passenger transport stage 150 includes a passenger pick-up substage 170, a passenger movement substage 172 and a passenger exit substage 174.

[0089] During the passenger handling sub-step 170, the passengers 16 board in the transport area 12, which is devoid of freight 14. The transport area 12 is dedicated to the passengers 16 during the passenger transport step 150. The transport area 12 is dedicated exclusively to the passengers 16 during the passenger transport step 150.

[0090] During the travel sub-step 172, the railway vehicle 2 travels from the second station 6 to the third station 8, preferably at a maximum speed between 200 km / h and 350 km / h.

[0091] During sub-step exit 174, the passengers 16 disembark from the railway vehicle 2 when the railway vehicle 2 has arrived at the third station 8.

[0092] Preferably, the crate 7 of each car 10 is, during the passenger transport stage 150, identical to that crate 7 during the freight transport stage 130. In particular, only the interior space formed by the crate 7 is modified between the freight transport configuration 15 and the passenger transport configuration 17, so that the transport area 12 is adapted for the transport of freight 14 or alternatively for the transport of passengers 16.

[0093] Preferably, the method includes a reconfiguration step in which the interior space formed by the crate 7 is modified between the freight transport configuration 15 and the passenger transport configuration 17, so that the transport area 12 is adapted for the transport of freight 14 or alternatively for the transport of passengers 16.

[0094] For example, the reconfiguration step includes the grouping, removal and / or integration into the floor and / or partitions of the elements intended for the transport of passengers. These elements include, for example, passenger seating, tables and / or luggage racks.

[0095] The reconfiguration step is carried out for example at the second point 6.

[0096] It is thus conceived that the railway vehicle 2 includes the transport zone 12 which is either dedicated exclusively to freight 14, or dedicated exclusively to passengers 16. Thus, the transport zone 12 contains the freight 14 or the passengers 16, depending on a transport need to one or more stations among the first station 4, the second station 6 and the third station 8 in which the railway vehicle 2 is located.

[0097] Thus, for example, when a large quantity of freight 14 is to be transported between an industrial area and an urban area, the rail vehicle 2 transports exclusively the freight 14 within its transport zone 12 to the urban area. Then, the rail vehicle 2 transports, for example, only passengers 16 within its transport zone 12 from the urban area to a resort area.

Claims

Demands

1. A method of transporting (1) passengers (16) and freight (14), the method comprising: - a freight transport stage (130), in which a rail vehicle (2), comprising a plurality of cars (10), is in a freight transport configuration (15), in which at least one car (10) of the plurality of cars comprises a transport area (12) dedicated exclusively to that freight (14) during the freight transport stage (130), and transports the freight (14) arranged within the transport area (12) from a first point (4) to a second point (6) distant from the first point (4);and - a passenger transport stage (150), wherein the rail vehicle (2) is in a passenger transport configuration (17), wherein the rail vehicle (2) exclusively transports passengers (16) arranged within said transport zone (12) from the second point (6) to a third point (8) distant from the second point (6), the rail vehicle (2) comprising at least one second transport zone (13) separate from the transport zone (12), the second transport zone (13) being, in the freight transport configuration (15), dedicated to receiving passengers for the transport of passengers (16) within this zone (13) from the first point (4) to the second point (6), the transport zone (12) being arranged in the same car (10) as the second transport zone (13).

2. A transport method according to claim 1, wherein the second transport zone (13) is, in the passenger transport configuration (17), dedicated to receiving freight (14) for transporting freight (14) within this zone from the second point (6) to the third point (8).

3. A transport method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each car (10) of the plurality of cars comprises a body (7) defining an interior space in which the transport area (12) is arranged, the body (7) being, during the passenger transport stage (150), identical to said body (7) during the freight transport stage (130).

4. A transport method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the freight transport step (130) comprises: - a substep of loading (160) the freight (14) into the transport area (12) devoid of passengers; - a substep of moving (162) the rail vehicle (2) from the first point (4) to the second point (6); and - a substep of unloading (164) the freight (14) from the rail vehicle (2) carried out by an autonomous robot (20).

5. A transport method according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising an urban transport stage (140) during which the freight (14) is transported, from the third point (8), by an urban transport means (32), such as a tram, a bus, or an autonomous shuttle, to a final destination of the freight (14).

6. A transport method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a step of reconfiguring the transport area (12) from a freight transport configuration (15) to a passenger transport configuration (17).

7. Transport network (1) comprising at least one rail vehicle (2), configured to implement a transport method according to any one of the preceding claims.

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