Collaboration with CHORA STUDIO Tomorrows Train Design Today_RIBA [First phase passed]
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THE EVOLUTION OF SPACE
A new model for railway lifestyle
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As culture and technology evolve together, the needs and expectations of railway passengers also change. The design aims to provide a solution that can cope with constant changes, to allow the evolution of space. Central to the holistic design is a toolbox of components. Contents of the toolbox range from our own innovative furniture designs to market-ready smart technologies developed by other companies. The overall approach is to create a system whereby toolbox components can be integrated with each other within the fabric of the train, and also added or taken away where required over time. Each component in the toolbox addresses one or more of the 4 Cs. Most of the spatial elements of the toolbox are satisfied by a system of rails embedded in the ceiling of the carriage. Seating, tables, storage, acoustic partitions, etc., can be easily plugged in and out to suit the changing requirements of the train. The rails also allow elements to be moved and rotated to create new spatial conditions whilst on the move. The floor of the train is kept deliberately free from fixtures and fittings, thereby allowing all spatial re-arrangement possibilities. The main shell of the train is designed to be lightweight, robust and flexible, utilising the latest materials and technologies. On-board clean energy generation has been incorporated where appropriate to support the general power supply within the carriage, parallel to a number of environmental strategies. The flexible and easily adaptable furniture system means that the capacity of the train can be adjusted according to each journey, even giving the ability to increase or reduce capacity whilst on the move. It also gives scope for train carriages to house different uses, for example a travelling art exhibition. The completely adaptive environment sets new standards and possibilities for railway lifestyle.
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THE EVOLUTION OF SPACE
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Smart glass
A new model for railway lifestyle
Smart glass Modular rails hanging system
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Modular rails hanging system
Photovoltaic film Modular rails hanging system
Photovoltaic film
Smart glass
Smart lighting surface
Smart glass contains smart materials that allow users to adjust the opacity of the glass itself. This removes the need for any internal or external shading devices. The active material is electro-chromic, changing its opacity in response to an electric current. The extra expense of using smart glass is offset by its cost savings for heating, air-conditioning, lighting, and shading. The added flexibility also improves customer experience.
Lightweight and moveable modular wall panels improve the flexibility of space throughout the train. The size of the module is designed to fit within the modular rails hanging system and its other components. The wall panels have high acoustic performance, thereby allowing them to be used in a large variety of situations, including storage, toilets and basic space dividers.
Smart lighting surface Surfaces embedded with LEDs give off a uniform planar light, the brightness of which can be controlled by train passengers. This technology gives a much more natural type of light, thereby making the interior train environment more healthy for passengers and staff. It also uses less electricity to power the lighting, and will last longer, reducing the cost and carbon footprint of the train.
Modular rails hanging system A modular system of rails are installed in the ceiling of the train. This system is key to the whole design. The connection detail allows a stiff but also easily adaptable attachment, into which a kit-of-parts can fit into to satisfy the full range of passenger needs for each train journey.
Waste heat recovery Trains give off a lot of waste heat, from many sources including the engine, passengers' body heat, and digital devices such as laptops and mobile phones. The waste heat can be used to warm up the cold outside air that enters the train. This reduces the energy consumption of the air-heating system. cold outside heat exchange warm inside
COST
GPS for the blind
Smart table
Smart capacity indicators
Flexible seating system
Waste heat recovery
Grey-water recycling toilet
Under chair storage / Foot rest
Modular rails hanging system
GPS for the blind
Smart table
Smart capacity indicators
Lightweight structural shell
Wheelchairs access system
Flexible seating system
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B Modular wall panel
Smart capacity indicators
E-Library
Grey-water recycling toilet
Wheelchairs access system Smart glass
Piezo-electric floor system
GPS for the blind
E-Library
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Modular rails hanging system
Modular wall panel
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GPS for the blind
Smart lighting surface
Smart table
Photovoltaic film
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GPS for the blind
Flexible seating system
Smart glass
Composite seating material A structure of layered materials gives the perfect properties for a flexible seating system. High-tech memory foam bonded with a durable fabric creates a comfortable seating material. The reverse side is focused on the structure and mechanics of the seating system. Together this sandwich of materials becomes a composite smart material through its ability to satisfy opposing uses.
Grey-water recycling toilet Water demand within a train come principally from the toilets. This water consumption can be halved through grey-water recycling systems, whereby the water run-off from the hand-basin is used to flush the toilet.
Modular hanging table Social eating and drinking environments can be created with this simple table design, that fits into the modular rails hanging system. The circular form allows for easy movement between the tables.
Smart table Each passenger has access to a table that on one side is a normal table for eating, drinnking, resting, etc, and the other side is an interactive screen. The screen can be used to communicate with staff and other passengers, plugging in devices for working, accessing the internet, and general entertainment features.
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CARBON
Lightweight structural shell Monocoque composite structural shells made from glass-fibre reinforced polyurethane are the main material used in the exterior of the train. Compared to steel or aluminium, this composite material reduces weight by 35%, and saves 30% of running costs through reduces fuel consumption. It is also an extremely durable material so increases the life-span of trains. Increased strength also means the train walls can be thinner, thereby increasing capacity on the interior.
GPS for the blind Visually impaired people are given a GPS device that allows them to navigate through the train through intelligent positioning and audio instructions.
Smart ticket sensor Each seat is equipped with a sensor that detects when the correct person has sat in it. This improves the efficiency of the ticket checking system. It also allows detailed capacity information to be sent to upcoming stations about the free capacity in each carriage.
Smart capacity indicators Linked to smart ticket sensors in the train, visual information shows up on the platforms of upcoming stations, indicating to boarding passengers where they should wait in order to access available seats. This reduces dwell times at stations, thereby reducing journey times. It also relieves some of the stress associated with train travel, making journeys more healthy.
E-Library
Wheelchairs access system
Interactive screens are placed within the train that allow passengers to search for reading material on a digital library, and then relay books and magazine to their own devices to read during their journey.
The access system provides mechanisms to lift the wheelchair onto the train. The passenger may then transfer into a mobile access chair that is small enough to slide down the central aisle, and then onto their allocated seat. This improves capacity by reducing the space needed for wheelchair users, whilst at the same time improving their customer exterience.
Adaptable bicycle storage Lockable hooks hang from the modular rails systems that can be used to store bicycles securely and conveniently within a normal carriage. This reduces station dwell times as bicycle users can store their bikes close to their seats, rather than having to load and unload it from a special carriage. Capacity is increased by removing the inefficient bicycle storage carriage.
Photovoltaic film
Piezo-electric floor system
Photovoltaic film is integrated into the roof of the train, providing a portion of the train's on-board electricity supply from direct sunlight. As the film is very lightweight, there will not be noticeable effects of fuel consumption.
Piezo-electric panels are integrated into the floor. This produces energy from the gravity of people walking up and down the train. Although not a huge source of energy, it will be enough to power most of the efficient lighting systems.
Under chair storage / Foot rest A simple panel is fitted to the flexible seating system that allows passengers to either have a foot rest, or fold it up to store small items.
Flexible seating system The innovative folding flexible seating system allows interior space to be transformed instantly. Seats move up and down the train, rotate to create social spaces, and unfolded into walls.
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CAPACITY
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CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE