Mat4Rail Newsletter 03 | April 2019
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Design in the Railway Industry
Why service offerings, consumer relation and flexibility of “plug & play” interior concepts will help to win back lost terrain and lead into a better future of consumer driven intermodal transportation landscape
Why service offerings, consumer relation and flexibility of “plug & play” interior concepts will help to win back lost terrain and lead into a better future of consumer driven intermodal transportation landscape
New offerings and features available in trains are in growing demand and are a relatively new task for train operators and builders alike. Not only because of the changing dynamics of interior trends or the more general wear of interior components and therefore the request for in-time refurbishments, but to regain and convince travellers with these offerings into an attractive and desirable future of a sustainable transportation system.
To promote higher attractiveness for train riding, a systematic but flexible layout of interior space needs to be created, to address the recent and the upcoming demands and to exploit the “unforeseen” future possibilities. Also to withstand the competition that currently runs highly flexible and consumer orientated transportation systems such as the individual offerings of automotive units or the services being provided by the air travel industry.
Yet the train system has not taken hold of their possible advantages; the sheer size and open access of the interior space as well as the possibilities for thematic zoning and the outstanding servicing hubs and infrastructure along a journey route.
Rather cost driven interior development and maintenance only refit pressure has led to an unfortunate disadvantage in the perception of travel comfort and excitement across all vessel ranges.
To promote higher attractiveness for train riding, a systematic but flexible layout of interior space needs to be created, to address the recent and the upcoming demands and to exploit the “unforeseen” future possibilities. Also to withstand the competition that currently runs highly flexible and consumer orientated transportation systems such as the individual offerings of automotive units or the services being provided by the air travel industry.
Yet the train system has not taken hold of their possible advantages; the sheer size and open access of the interior space as well as the possibilities for thematic zoning and the outstanding servicing hubs and infrastructure along a journey route.
Rather cost driven interior development and maintenance only refit pressure has led to an unfortunate disadvantage in the perception of travel comfort and excitement across all vessel ranges.
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Our partners, NVGTR and ESCATEC are working to design and develop a hyper-flexible and intelligent new “plug & play” system as well as first single solutions for train operators, who wish to be able to reconfigure the interior layout of a train as well as the service offerings and elements that add to passenger comfort.
Addressing and defining a general standard grid system including a new and innovative way of easy fixation points across the vessel body, a range of auxiliary offerings, electric and non-electric, that can be easily exchanged and upgraded, generate a flexibly adaptable and generous principle for a modern interior system. This will not only be operated on demand and cost-effective, but with the passenger and their future consumer needs and the desired travelling experience in the centre of this development. |
Renderings of the innovative plug & play system developed in Mat4Rail
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One of the most relevant factors within the train interior is the seating environment. This is shaping not only the visual appearance, generating a sense of expected comfort but also structuring the interior architecture principal and therefore defining the personal passenger space on first sight.
A paradigm shift is needed to change this perception for a better, allowing for a future outlook of travelling and a new understanding of personal space, community areas and envisioning the poetic expression of travelling lightweight and sustainable.
The Mat4Rail team with NVGTR and Grammer in the lead took on this opportunity of change, starting with the interface and the overall layout principles of the seating building blocks, pushing the boundary of lightweight architecture yet providing superior comfort and reducing seat weight by up to 60%.
Achieving this set goal in a first prototype form of this new seating concept with the highest possible flexibility and super ultra-lightweight solution true a 3D knitted approach. A change in the way seats will be produced, used, upcycled, refurbished - aiming for the best possible passenger user experience and addressing the upcoming transportation challenges.
Generating a tangible vision of future train seat layouts.
A paradigm shift is needed to change this perception for a better, allowing for a future outlook of travelling and a new understanding of personal space, community areas and envisioning the poetic expression of travelling lightweight and sustainable.
The Mat4Rail team with NVGTR and Grammer in the lead took on this opportunity of change, starting with the interface and the overall layout principles of the seating building blocks, pushing the boundary of lightweight architecture yet providing superior comfort and reducing seat weight by up to 60%.
Achieving this set goal in a first prototype form of this new seating concept with the highest possible flexibility and super ultra-lightweight solution true a 3D knitted approach. A change in the way seats will be produced, used, upcycled, refurbished - aiming for the best possible passenger user experience and addressing the upcoming transportation challenges.
Generating a tangible vision of future train seat layouts.
Mat4Rail leightweight seat prototypes
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Different versions of the seats, varying heights, materials and functionalities
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Read further articles
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Standardisation of composites and dissimilar joints for the use in train carbodies Mat4Rail's and PIVOT's first steps towards standardisation |
