Safer by Design Bin

Collaboration between TfNSW, Sydney Trains, NSW Police and University of Technology Sydney (UTS) has led to the design and development of safer bins.

A past response adopted by transport agencies to pre-empt possible terrorism or other threats was the removal of garbage bins from stations and station precincts. However, this can create consequential problems that impact on the customer experience, including litter, slips and falls, fire hazards, vermin and loss of visual amenity.

Through a collaboration between Transport for New South Wales, Sydney Trains, the NSW Police Force and  the UTS Designing-Out-Crime Research Centre, a bin design was produced that allows easy visual inspection by transport staff, in a “business as usual context” and by police and emergency services if a more detailed inspection is required.

Features of the new design include:

• High visibility front and side panels which, combined with the shallow depth, ensure easy natural surveillance of content.

• Profiled front face which draws the eye not only to the advertising or signage but by virtue of its shape encourages natural surveillance of the contents of the bin.

• Fast decommissioning capability and easy x-ray facility for ease and safety of use in high alert situations.

The bin also features anti-graffiti finishes, restricted aperture to constrain the size of items to be inserted and a 90 litre capacity. The bin can be wall mounted or free standing in single, double or quad configuration.

The Designing Out Crime Research Centre (DOCRC) located at UTS, has a mandate to bring design innovation to complex crime and social problems. The Centre partners with government, community, industry and academia in a co-design approach that is highly customised to partners’ needs.

An Australian design Awards finalist, the bin is now a standard design for all modes with large passenger presences, and has been shared with transport security bodies, both nationally and internationally. It can be seen in many train stations, interchanges, wharves and on board selected ferries on the transport network.