How San Francisco Is Designing Its Metro Train of the Future

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How San Francisco Is Designing Its Metro Train of the Future

#1 Post by Vee » Wed Sep 17, 2014 9:47 am

Great read from CityLab on the process and thinking behind the re-design of public transport - BART trains for the future. It included rider data and surveys and observations on passenger loading.
Read the article to find out more about design considerations including demographics, seat design and layout, passenger loading, new doors and new bike racks and the extensive design, user input and testing process.

A few snippets from the article....
... the agency surveyed how riders felt about the existing cars. They asked riders to email ideas for improving the cars, and to send pictures of elements they liked from other transit systems around the world. They conducted "seat labs" in stations to let riders test out different seat spacing arrangements—a matter of inches and centimeters that determines, to a large degree, the entire spatial design of the car interior.
BART looked at demographics, too.
The agency considered how population growth rates would affect the demand for trains, and how the aging Baby Boomer population would affect the need for seats designed for seniors and people with disabilities. It also considered BART's scattered geography.

The system serves as both an urban metro system and a regional commuter system, which can result in a dramatic difference between its weekday riders and its largely leisure- or tourism-based weekend riders. Meeting the needs of these various groups requires a good understanding of how each group uses the system.
The designers came up with 3 options and testing with patrons revealed that the most flexible concept called 'Social Interaction' was favoured over the 'Commuter Comfort' and 'Reflecting the Community' options.
And manufacturing considerations include ...
The manufacturer also has to pay attention to things like the weight and quantity of the materials being used, like stanchions and handrails. "The weight you add you carry each and every day for 30 or 40 years."
"That's a lot of energy."
Bombardier is scheduled to deliver 10 pilot train cars in the summer of 2015 for testing. As a result of the recent concerns over wheelchairs and bicycles, two different internal layouts will be manufactured—one with the poles moved two more inches off center to create more room for wheelchairs, and another with both poles and bike racks removed to create larger open spaces.
A long but worthwhile article for those interested in designs and issues for modern public transport and the involvement of commuters in the design and testing process.

How San Francisco Is Designing Its Metro Train of the Future
CityLab:
http://www.citylab.com/commute/2014/09/ ... re/380181/

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