Developing　a　metro-based　underground　logistics　system　(M-ULS)　to　integrate　freight　activities　into　passenger　rail　transit　networks　is　a　sustainable　option　to　improve　urban　traffic　and　mobility.　This　paper　proposes　innovative　concepts　for　M-ULS　prototypes.　The　system　design　uses　knowledge　from　engineering　practice,　emerging　initiatives,　literature,　and　experts＇　viewpoints.　First,　demand　flows,　hierarchies,　and　facility　features　of　an　M-ULS　network　are　described,　based　on　which　the　collaborative　mechanism　of　shared　metro　passenger-goods　transport,　along　with　specialised　packing　and　transportation　strategies,　are　modelled　and　compared.　Both　overground　and　underground　measures　are　envisaged　for　last-mile　deliveries　from　metro　to　customers.　Second,　a　hierarchical　framework　incorporating　37　key　technologies　that　are　necessary　for　M-ULS　development　is　organised　and　evaluated.　Third,　interior　layout　schemes　of　a　specific　interchange　metro　station　with　logistics　functions　are　designed.　Underground　space　partitions　at　the　platform　layer　and　the　station　hall　layer　are　visualised.　The　logistics　workflows　of　the　station　are　described　in　full.　Evidence　from　literature　and　surveys　indicates　that　the　proposed　M-ULS　models　are　technically　feasible,　and　their　advantages　and　disadvantages　are　clear.　This　study　contributes　to　providing　a　holistic　decision　support　tool　for　the　future　planning　and　design　of　M-ULS　and　other　rail-based　freight　transportation　systems.