Green Corridors’ GC-IFTS (Green Corridors Intelligent Freight Transportation System) “offers a solution at Port Laredo that will benefit future generations by reducing congestion, bypassing gridlocked areas, and increasing border security.” (Photo credit: Green Corridors.)

Last time, I talked about a Port of Seattle green corridor for cruises to Alaska, along with other port corridors, In this space I will look at the aptly named Green Corridors, a land-based infrastructure freight corridor using elevated tracks.

Green Corridors is an ambitious undertaking that uses technology to bypass traffic congestion by implementing “state-of-the-art, low-emission shuttles traveling on elevated guideways.”  The thinking is to remove traffic congestion by moving freight off the road and onto elevated guideways, “resulting in increased efficiency, sustainability, security and road safety.”

Green Corridors, based in Austin, Texas, offers the logistics industry innovative freight transportation services by moving semi-truck trailers and sea containers across international borders, between a seaport and an inland terminal or through key trade corridors. Designed for transportation providers, port authority and terminal operators, logistics companies will book freight directly on Green Corridors’ system.

Green Corridors’ technology includes automated inland terminals, autonomous freight shuttles, and elevated guideway infrastructure. Inland terminals will serve as hubs for commerce and logistics services.  The cost of such a project is unclear. The company says it is on a mission to improve the $300 billion international trade corridor between Laredo, Texas to Monterrey, N.L., Mexico.

According to a Mexico Business News article, published last year, the Government of Nuevo Leon and Green Corridors signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to revamp commercial corridors by integrating sustainable technologies that aim to enhance efficiency in cross-border transportation management.

During his visit to Austin, Texas, Governor of Nuevo Leon Samuel García was introduced to the project by executives from Green Corridors.

The MoU, signed by García and Mitch Carlson, CEO, Green Corridors, established a collaborative link to build a Comprehensive Intelligent Freight Transportation System (IFTS) from the Colombia-Laredo area to the Monterrey Metropolitan Zone. This system will facilitate point-to-point cargo transportation within the region, “ultimately reducing traffic congestion and boosting operational efficiency in goods movement.”

Both Green Corridors and the Government of Nuevo Leon want to develop and implement new technologies and operational methods to enhance the efficiency of cross-border and domestic freight transportation.

“The Green Corridors solution encompasses two initial projects applicable to various Ports of Entry (POEs): Seaport to Inland Terminal, and Land Border Crossing. These projects aim to mitigate congestion and security concerns at border crossings and waterfront sites by relocating freight to strategically located areas,” the article said.

One such project involves the Port of Houston, which anticipates a 75% increase in cargo volumes by 2035. This growth is also expected to exacerbate congestion and emissions, leading to supply chain bottlenecks and increased air pollution. To address these challenges, the Green Corridors Initiative (GCI) has been launched in collaboration with stakeholders such as the Port of Houston, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), and Texas A&M University.  Mexico Business News says:

“The project at the Port of Houston aims to reduce traffic congestion, emissions, and road maintenance costs, while improving supply chain resilience and air quality. The project aims to have 1.52 million truck trips removed from the road per year, reducing carbon emissions by 472,623t annually. These changes will also avoid replacing 123,974 tires per year and save US$153.12 million in fuel and 36.9 million gallons of diesel.

“On the other hand, the Green Corridors project in El Paso-Juarez aims to facilitate the movement of trucks through the border region, contributing to regional economic development and job creation. The port is expected to handle a significant portion of future truck traffic. Thus, this project promises substantial reductions in emissions, fuel consumption, and truck trips.”

E#arly days, but it could be part of the freight solution.