Transport spaces of the future

In early February, Sydney Metro's Customer Strategy team sponsored a two-day Transport Spaces of the Future Challenge at Google's headquarters, in partnership with the Transport for NSW Research Hub and Tobias strategic design and innovation consultancy firm. This collaborative project was driven by Sydney Metro’s significant investment in future transport infrastructure and customer-centred design, and was prompted by a Problem Statement developed by the Transport for NSW Research Hub to explore the future of interchange design and turnstiles.

Six teams, made up of participants from Sydney Metro, students from the University of Technology’s Bachelor of Creative Intelligence & Innovation (BCII) Program and 2018 Metro Minds STEAM finalists from Manly Selective High School, came together to solve problems that customers are predicted to face in 10–20 years. These problems include using shared zero emission vehicles for first and last mile transfers and using seamless fare payment technologies.

Sydney Metro Chief Executive, Jon Lamonte opened the first day of the event and highlighted the importance of incorporating customers, emerging technology and sustainability into the innovative design of future spaces.

Michael Molitor, Strategic Advisor Sustainability and Innovation at Transport for NSW, opened the second day of the event. Michael encouraged participants to challenge everything in their quest to design future transport spaces, and shared his passion for improving energy and transport systems so that society can grow sustainably and inclusively.

A special highlight was a presentation by final-year Engineering Students from the University of Sydney's Jacaranda Flame Consulting Program, who worked together for six weeks prior to the Challenge to develop customer-centred interchange designs for health and event precincts of the future. This work was sponsored by Andrew Kendall from Sydney Metro and supported by the Transport for NSW Research Hub. The findings from these high-calibre students prompted Challenge participants to design future transport spaces with customer centricity in mind.

Over the course of the two-day event, participants learned how to examine the problem statement, refine their concept, prototype and test. Participants then pitched their solutions to an expert panel consisting of Jon Lamonte (Sydney Metro), Ash Donaldson (Tobias), Christopher Bradley (Google), Bem Le Hunte (UTS) and Gabriela Quintana Vigiola (UTS).

Source: Sydney Metro e-Hub