Parallel Systems, in partnership with Genesee & Wyoming (G&W), is set to launch commercial pilot to deploy its railcars across a 160-mile stretch of two Georgia railroads. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) approved the pilot earlier this month. The company, which has a backlog of over 300 autonomous vehicles, expects to launch initial commercial operations by 2026.
Parallel Systems, which develops automated and battery-electric freight rail vehicles, is also scaling production of its Generation 3 vehicle, train control systems, and autonomy software while working with Union Pacific to ensure compatibility with Positive Train Control (PTC) for safe use on U.S. railroads. Parallel’s freight system allows small groups of vehicles—typically 10 to 30—to operate in platoons without couplings between them, making railroad operations safer and cost-competitive.