International Railway Journal - July 2008 - (Page 47)

We have so far identified two main trends that will influence the interior design of future main line and highspeed trains, both linked to the same mental process: tailoring individual space to obtain the best possible comfort and an “at home” feeling, and, more subconsciously, the need to create a security bubble of personal space within a potentially unpredictable environment. Of course, this will be a compromise, counterbalanced by the basic needs of ergonomics, security, and reasonable accessibility of the seats. Cocoons, carefully isolated from the rest of the coach are unlikely to be viable proposition for passenger trains. As in recent aircraft business-class designs, you could imagine solutions involving articulated canopies or sliding partitions, once again allowing more intimacy within a public space. Prams or pushchairs show such interesting hinged canopies to protect against wind and rain. Some rail users would doubtless appreciate a similar “hightech” device, incorporating visual and sound insulation, some video screens and sound systems, this time just to be protected against other fellow travellers. Ideally, these insulation devices could be configured to create small groups of two, three, or four seats, thereby re-creating the traditional compartment. However, as always in railway design, the overall capacity of the coach is a key consideration for financially-sound operation, and also for available space and resulting seat pitch. Achieving a balance between the needs of the passenger and the needs of the business is the tricky part. Another important consideration is the “visual welcome” concept. This means that the coach should not only be comfortable, but should appear visually inviting from the moment the passenger steps through the door. Just think of the visual promise of a soft crumpled pillow, instead of the traditional plastictrimmed headrest A visually comfortable passenger environment should look like a protective cocoon, a place packed with equipment, tables, storage and visible ergonomic adjustments everywhere. Moreover, two or more seats could be combined as “collective cocoons”, to recreate the welcome intimacy offered by the once-common compartment. Upholstery should look plush, with inviting shapes. Passengers want to be able to adjust their sitting position during their journey. Around the seat, the surrounding fittings could be considered just as a kind of display-case, enhancing the beauty and sophistication of the furniture. Lighting is an important matter that will be the focus of many new developments in the coming years. The rapid development of new diminutive light sources as the powerful and maintenance-free LEDs allow precise and efficient integration within the seat itself, once again offering better control and comfort. Other technological advances such as wi-fi internet access are also offering new possibilities to enhance the passenger’s immediate environment. Of course all the above are counterbalanced by the constraints that make industrial design interesting security, costs, resistance to vandalism, wear and tear. We try to add more comfort and create equipment that will do the most to enhance the travel experience, and make the traveller feel that he’s been right in the middle of the creation process. IRJ IRJ July 2008 47 http://www.teknoware.fi

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International Railway Journal - July 2008 Contents This Month News Transit News Market News/Technology News News Analysis Conference Report Korean Railways Face a Bright Future Korean Exports Surge Ahead Ready to Roll in China Velaro Shows Eastern Promise Are You Sitting Comfortably? Compin Meets New Challenges The Fabric of Society Grinding Out a Result Rendezvous Full Contact List The Last Word

International Railway Journal - July 2008

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