A tram like an insect? Here are the projects of the future

Ecology, safety and nature-inspired design were the three factors that dominated the student competition to design a modern tram. Great emphasis was also placed on the accessibility of the rolling stock in terms of adapting it to the needs of people with reduced mobility. The competition was organised by Łukasiewicz – Poznań Institute of Technology, Poznań University of Technology and Modertrans Poznań.

The winning design was developed by Julia Piętka. The competition jury praised her work for the use of sustainable solutions to reduce carbon dioxide and noise emissions and the use of advanced safety systems. The tram has built-in deceleration sensors and an increased field of vision for the driver, especially in difficult weather conditions. Its aerodynamic shape, in turn, is expected to improve the energy efficiency of the vehicle.

The tram is intended to be accessible to every user, regardless of their mobility limitations. It has, for instance, guided lanes with led lighting for the visually impaired, while the furniture has been made free of sharp edges. The interior of the vehicle has been designed in bright colours and the floor has been given a matt and even surface to increase passengers’ sense of safety.

Other works emphasised, among other things, ergonomic interiors, larger glazed areas or easy access to information screens or sockets. Some designs and colours were inspired by floral or animal motifs, such as the insect-like design of the tram.

– The creativity of the students and their sensitivity to ecological and safety issues have significantly influenced the designs prepared. We can see that this is a direction that is already being taken into account when designing rolling stock, but is likely to intensify in the coming years. I assume that many elements from the prepared works will be standard in new vehicles in a few years‘ time, says Piotr Tarnawski, director of the Centre for Modern Mobility at the Łukasiewicz – Poznań Institute of Technology.

Modertrans Poznań has invited the authors of the best designs to collaborate on the development of new trams. One of the main challenges of the future is to create autonomous vehicles that will not require the presence of a driver.

Julia Piętka’s project was awarded first prize, second prize went to Julia Kopańska and Joanna Krzemińska, and third prize was awarded ex aequo to Julita Dominiak, Gabriela Brzęcka and Adrian Chruszczewski. All places were given financial prize.

The exhibition of the works will run until 18 July 2024 at the Faculty of Architecture of the Poznań University of Technology.