New York City Taxi Concept

To design a new vehicle to function as a taxi for the city of New York to replace those currently ending their service life.

// Design Research

// Futurism // Checker Cabs

// Households with Car Ownership

With the taxi iconic to New York transport, a surprisingly low number of local residents use the city's taxi service on a regular basis, choosing often to use their own vehicles to travel, increasing road congestion in central areas.

// 1950s America // Parking Problems

Taxi drivers take on average 2.5 fares per hour on shift.

// Vehicle Automation

2.5

// New York Congestion

40 000

40000 taxi drivers currently serve New York City and surrounding areas.

$1 $6

Bil.

Total revenue of taxis in New York totals more than $1 Billion.

The average taxi fare in NYC is $6

// Manhattan - 23 % // Brooklyn - 44 % // Bronx - 46 %

// Design Aim To design a taxi which will provide a convenient, affordable and dependable service for the population of New York which can function as a feasible and more cost effective alternative to vehicle ownership, through encouraging taxi sharing in an attempt to reduce vehicle congestion and emissions in the city.

Design Inspiration

// Transport To Work

// Subway

// Drove Alone

// Bus

// Walked

// Car Pooled

// Queens - 64 % // Staten Island - 84 %

// Taxi

// Fully Opening Side // Heavy Glass Usage // Retro-Futurist Design // External Wheel Housings // Separate Chassis and Body // Flexible Seating Arrangements

Design Concepts

// Sliding Wheel Base // Autonomous Driving // LED Glass Advertising

// Advertising

// Central Hub

Taxi's have long been a source of advertising in New York, by infusing LED lighting in the glass of the video advertising can be displayed on the vehicle whilst driving.

A central parking centre, dedicated for the taxi's will allow vehicles to be stored securely whilst also acting as a depot for maintenance and charging reducing running cost.

// Drivetrain By using a fully electric drivetrain vehicle emissions will be negligible and vehicles can be charged between fares.

// Driving A fully autonomous drive system will allow vehicles to manoeuvre the city systematically, reducing road congestion whilst also removing the need for taxi drivers, therefore increasing passenger space.

// Disabled Usability // Virtual Interior Display // Vehicle Storage / Docking

// Information A comprehensive information display for the passengers will not only provide updates of the journey but provide suggestions and points of interest near by.

// Disability Providing transport for the disabled is a must for a complete taxi service for the city area.

Vehicle Technology

// Autonomous Drive // Spacious Cabin Area // Retro-Futurist Design // Design Inspired by Checker // Traditional Colour Aesthetic

// Inspired By A Legend Taking design cues such as the iconic chrome bumpers, head- and tail-lights as well as sporting a pastiche of the Checker badge, the taxi's aesthetic boasts a futuristic design whilst also maintaining familiarity with residents and tourists of New York.

// Dual Sliding Doors

// Dual Sliding Doors

Large automatic sliding doors and fold out ramp allow all users easy access to the vehicle without strain. Creating a wide opening, passengers can bring items such as pushchairs and large luggage aboard with them increasing the vehicle's practicality.

// Flexible Interior Layouts // Fully Suited For Disabled Users

// Flexible Interior With sliding front and rear seating users can tailor their interior space to their passenger and luggage needs. Folding front seats allow for upto two wheelchair users or for seating upto five when folded down, allowing for two different configurations.

// Disability Usage By having both sliding doors and ramp work automatically disabled users can specify their requirements when booking a taxi so the interior space is prepared accordingly on arrival allowing disabled passengers to travel alone freely.

// Technical Drawings // Sub 4 Metre Length // 2 Meter Maximum Width // Exceptional Passenger Space

Drawings taken from Solidworks showing the external dimensions of the vehicle in addition to the internal dimensions of two of the possible interior layouts showing leg and head heights as well as rear luggage area dimensions.

// Autonomous Drive // Customisable Interior // Full Electric Drivetrain // Digital Advertising Media // App Based Hailing System

// Customisable Interior With large front and side glass areas, the cabin is light and airy, allowing excellent sightseeing of the city whilst travelling.

Alternatively, users can connect their smart phone or pc to create a projected digital space, ideal for navigating, watching media or working on the move.

// Digital Advertising The vehicle's large external glass sides allow for advertising to be displayed through the use of LED glass technology. With both still and video adverts able to be played, taxis can create additional income whilst on the move in the city.

The vehicle can display adverts locally, showing certain ads in specific locations to target local customers.

// App Booking

// Autonomous Technology Advanced autonomous technology allows the vehicle to travel efficiently through the city, managing New York's grid street system. By removing the driver, interior space is drastically improved in addition to the vehicle being more time efficient improving the vehicle's revenue return and reduces running cost.

Destination Address 123 First Street, Manhattan

EDIT

Destination Address 123 First Street, Manhattan

EDIT

Destination Address 123 First Street, Manhattan

EDIT

Use Current Location Destination Address:

Interior Layout

123 First Street, Manhattan 128 First Street, Manhattan 123 Fourth Street, Manhattan

With taxi hailed through a smart phone, users can catc ha taxi near them and pre set location, interior layout and disability needs whilst the taxi is en-route to them.

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// Drivetrain Technology A fully electric drivetrain is used in the vehicle in attempt to reduce running cost, reduce localise emissions in the city and to improve passenger experience. A lithium ion battery pack located underneath the vehicle's floor powers a motor over the rear axle. Charged from centralised 'Taxi Hubs' vehicles can be charged quickly and efficiently whilst off service.

AUTONOMOUS

DRIVING