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Flexibility: The Future of Mass Transport

31 July 2007

Melbourne is on the eve of committing to a new generation of public transport. But the landscape is changing by the month. The numbers of people using non-motor car transport is growing exponentially. And in turn more people will be using public transport in ways far more diverse than commuting to work. 

How will the system cope? And what will it look like?

The answer to the first question is obviously dominated by raw numbers; of vehicles and frequency of service. But the answer is more complex than having more trams, trains and buses. It must also include the design of the system infrastructure and the vehicles themselves.

With an enduring commitment to public transport design, CobaltNiche is often asked to be involved or lead projects that point toward future design solutions for Melbourne’s transport systems. A current project is the communications upgrade of the Yarra Trams fleet. This project will bring greater user friendliness & flexibility to the passengers journey & further increase the patronage of trams. The bulk of the fleet hit the tracks in the 80s, so the fleet improvements are a bit of a challenge. 
We have instigated our own design statement for where the future of Melbourne’s trams should be.  Named the Melba2011; our conceptual design of the new generation Melbourne tram, hopefully flies the flag for the tradition & passion of Melbourne commuters..

According to CobaltNiche director, Jack Magree “the low floor aspect to the new generation of trams due for Melbourne will attract more passengers with wheelchairs, prams, bikes & to some degree larger luggage.  Trains have been used this way in Melbourne but not trams. There is a real opportunity for our trams to have a better fit with its passengers”.

The new generation of vehicles need to have flexible and multi-functional areas that can cope with diverse users, along with traditional commuter traffic.
The score card for these types of multi-function areas is mixed.  Even in Europe where excellent public transport systems exist in cities such as Zurich, Helsinki and Lyon there is still a general shortage of areas for carrying luggage or bicycles. The reasons for this are unclear given the natural fit between bicycles and trains or light rail.

Public transport

CobaltNiche has developed ideas for flexible multi-function areas based on observations and design studies including:

  • Standing areas with lean seats help deal with peak passenger loads. These areas can also double as open areas suitable for wheelchairs and wall hooks to hang bicycles.
  • In off-peak periods, spring-out arms and hooks at entry vestibules that grip bicycle frames or backpacks can be an effective way of handling these awkward and mobile items.
  • Similar but smaller spring-out hooks can be incorporated into staunchions to hold smaller items like briefcases, handbags and umbrellas which otherwise can clog aisle and foot-space.
  • Toddlers and young children are often difficult to control on public transport. Family-friendly areas of carriages with raised softer floors, ‘ride-on’ seating and bright colours can turn the journey into an experience. 
  • An Austrian study into passenger behaviour has found that decreasing the number of seats in a carriage by providing smart luggage space can actually increase the number of available seats. The study by TU-Wien found passengers with luggage generally do not like lifting heavy items to overhead racks, and strongly prefer to keep visual contact with their belongings. Disregarding these basics compromises user comfort and safety. A dedicated, visually-open floor-to-overhead height rack (with rearward sloping shelves) positioned near, but not at the door, provides the best compromise for luggage storage on trains and light-rail by discouraging people from using adjacent seats as default luggage racks.