DESIGN NAME: Customizable multi-purpose bus
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Urban Bus
INSPIRATION: Public transportation has always been a major issue in modern society. Many solutions have been developed around the world to circumvent the issue but every project had its flaws, either by direct lack of quality, or by being too complex and preventing a economically stable transportation network to be established. SWIFT is an attempt to create a model of urban bus capable of streamlining maintenance processes and cutting operational costs while providing good quality transportation for everyone.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: An urban bus with a customizable interior. SWIFT has a system of lateral structures on its interior that allow for easy reconfiguration of its internal components. This creates a very flexible platform that can be utilized in a wide scale in urban centers to fill different kinds of routes that would otherwise require different kinds of busses, greatly reducing operational and maintenance costs. Due to its ease of maintenance, repair times can be cut drastically and as the passenger demands change around the transportation network, the fllet can be easily reconfigured to adapt to the new demand.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: The laterals of the internal part of the vehicle have rails for easy removal and placement of the seating modules developed for the product. Each module was conceived with optimized ergonomics and low maintenance costs, allowing for easier maintenance and quick repurposing of the vehicle for varied roles inside the transportation network of its city.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: August 2013 to June 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
|
PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: The basic design was developed based on low-floor bus platforms and materials for its internal components currently available, aiming at easy introduction to production lines. Sketching and aesthetic studies were developed to determine shapes, materials and visuals for the vehicle followed by ergonomic and human behaviour on public transportation studies were conducted to improve the quality of life for the passenger.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: 2500 x 13000 x 3150
TAGS: Bus, Transportation, Flexibility, Urban, Mass transit, City, Efficiency
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: Through the study of human behaviour in public transportation, ergonomics and research on how to streamline busses maintenance and components, research was focused on creating a vehicle that provided good quality transportation for its passengers, cuts in expenses and reduction of operational inconveniences for the companies. Commuters, bus drives, and mechanics were interviewed for its suggestions.
CHALLENGE: Improving the overall quality and aesthetics of urban busses using current technology and knowledge, developing a vehicle that could easily be implemented by manufacturers nowadays.
ADDED DATE: 2014-02-15 13:12:46
TEAM MEMBERS (1) :
IMAGE CREDITS: Leonardo Santos E Barros, 2013.
|