The physical backbone of the Physical Internet
Pipe§Net
A research infrastructure for the automated transport of light and standardized goods: capsules, depressurized tubes, electric linear motors, forwarding nodes and integration with existing logistics networks.
The evolution of pneumatic tube systems for the logistics of the future
Pipe§Net is an infrastructure concept devised by Prof. Franco Cotana and developed within the research activities of CIRIAF at the University of Perugia. The idea is simple and radical: move light, standardized freight inside capsules travelling through depressurized tubes, reducing friction, road congestion and environmental impact.
This page presents Pipe§Net as a research and development project, not as a commercial service already in operation. The numerical data shown are objectives, scenarios or results from available studies and design materials.
A network designed for speed, modularity and continuity
In the technical materials, Pipe§Net is described as a system for light freight and small parcels, designed to run alongside existing linear infrastructures and dedicated forwarding/receiving stations.
System architecture
Pipe§Net combines physical and digital components: capsules, tubes, propulsion, stations, control systems and integration with other logistics vectors.
Capsules, tubes and smart nodes
Goods are placed in capsules or modular containers and routed through dedicated tubes. Motion is generated by electric linear motors, while reducing aerodynamic and mechanical friction is one of the core elements of system efficiency.
Forwarding and receiving stations are the critical point of the architecture: they must load, unload, route and, in the more advanced scenarios, interface the Pipe§Net network with rail, road, logistics hubs, drones and autonomous vehicles.
In the CRPP model, Pipe§Net does not replace the entire transport system: it is proposed as a complementary infrastructure for flows suited to light, standardized and high-frequency freight.
Pipe§Net as the physical backbone of the Physical Internet
The Physical Internet envisions interoperable, standardized and digitally orchestrated logistics networks. Pipe§Net represents a possible physical component of that vision: a network dedicated to fast, continuous and traceable flows between hubs, nodes and interchange points.
Logistics standards
Parcels and items become modular units that can be identified and monitored across the network.
Synchromodality
Pipe§Net can interact with rail, road, urban hubs, drones and autonomous vehicles.
Last mile
The network can be complemented by urban delivery solutions, micro-hubs and autonomous systems.
Expected benefits for freight, cities and infrastructures
The value of the project is not only speed. It is the possibility of relieving congested routes, reducing the mixing of passenger and freight traffic, improving time predictability and integrating new logistics standards.
Decongestion
Part of freight flows could be moved onto dedicated infrastructures, reducing pressure on road arteries.
Predictable timing
The capsule network aims at fast, frequent and programmable deliveries between logistics nodes.
Energy efficiency
Reduced friction and electric power supply are central to the sustainability scenarios.
Safety
Separating freight from ordinary traffic can help reduce risks, accidents and infrastructure wear.
From prototypes to pilot sections
Technical materials refer to prototypes and demonstrators developed to test system components: tubes, propulsion, depressurization, capsules, stations and transfer operations.
Among the most relevant scenarios are the RFI Bologna San Donato test circuit, with the hypothesis of a 1:1-scale section for double-tube transfer testing, and the Civitavecchia pilot project, subject to a municipal policy act for the connection between the interport and the port-station area.
Technology roadmap
The development path described in the documents moves from prototypes and functional tests to pilot plants, then to scenarios for national backbones and international links.
Backbones, ports, airports and marine connections
The linear nature of the technology allows applications to be studied along existing infrastructures: railways, motorways, logistics corridors, ports, airports and marine routes. From this perspective, Pipe§Net can be assessed as a complementary infrastructure for specific freight flows.
Project documents mention scenarios such as Civitavecchia, connections with airport nodes, Italian backbones, European corridors, submarine links and international cases such as Suez-Port Said or the Lobito Corridor. These references should be read as study scenarios, not as already authorized or completed works.
Ports
Connection between port areas, dry ports and interports.
Airports
Integration with urgent freight and high-value logistics.
Backbones
National routes along existing infrastructure corridors.
Sea
Hypotheses for submarine links between strategic nodes.
The Centre’s flagship project
Pipe§Net is the project that best represents CRPP’s mission: bringing together research, infrastructures, energy, sustainability and advanced logistics models in a long-term vision.
The public page must speak to institutions, companies, universities and technology partners. For this reason, the tone is technical-institutional: ambitious but verifiable; futuristic but not excessively promotional.
Sources and further materials
This page summarizes scientific, design and institutional materials. Public references are kept in a dedicated section to provide robustness and transparency.
Articles and publications
CIRIAF/University of Perugia studies and contributions on Pipe§Net as an innovative freight transport system.
Project documents
Materials on prototypes, pilot sections, technical architecture, roadmap and application scenarios.
Video and media
Video insights and explanatory content on how the system works and its project evolution.
From vision to infrastructure validation
CRPP lavora per trasformare Pipe§Net in una piattaforma di ricerca, confronto e progettazione, aperta a università, centri di ricerca, operatori industriali, istituzioni e partner tecnologici interessati alla nuova logistica sostenibile.