Sustain Green Transport

HKUST ISD Students Design Concepts for Future Trams

Prof. Tsui Chi-Ying, Head of HKUST Division of Integrative Systems and Design (third right), Dr. Luisa Mok Sze-Man, Lecturer of HKUST Division of Integrative Systems and Design (second left), Mr. Cyril Aubin, Managing Director of Hong Kong Tramways (third left), Mr. Nixon Cheung, Head of Commercial and Brand of Hong Kong Tramways (first left), and Year 2 students of Integrative Systems and Design Katie Chong (second right) and Jasmine Li (first right)
Prof. Tsui Chi-Ying, Head of HKUST Division of Integrative Systems and Design (third right), Dr. Luisa Mok Sze-Man, Lecturer of HKUST Division of Integrative Systems and Design (second left), Mr. Cyril Aubin, Managing Director of Hong Kong Tramways (third left), Mr. Nixon Cheung, Head of Commercial and Brand of Hong Kong Tramways (first left), and Year 2 students of Integrative Systems and Design Katie Chong (second right) and Jasmine Li (first right) [Download Photo]

Students of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology’s (HKUST) Division of Integrative Systems and Design (ISD) have collaborated with Hong Kong Tramways to come up with innovative eco-friendly design concepts that could be incorporated into future generations of tramcars.

The project, entitled “Trams in the Hong Kong transport system: designing the 8th-generation tram for low-carbon transport futures,” was an ISD and Tramways joint effort to hone students’ critical thinking in approaching complex problems in society, particularly those related to the global challenges of climate change. In the last semester, students conducted research and designed with objectives of enhancing passenger flow or the air-ventilation of the tram, aiming to realize low-carbon transport futures. 

Head of ISD, Prof. TSUI Chi-Ying, thanked Tramways for giving the 27 second-year students a unique opportunity to work on the project last semester. “Trams are an iconic and ingenious mode of low-carbon transport in Hong Kong. I am grateful that Tramways has provided our students with a platform to nurture their creativity and utilize their innovative ideas. Our students are young and creative, yet how they will develop their ideas in useful and elegant ways is what we want to see,” said Prof. Tsui.

Managing Director of Hong Kong Tramways, Mr. Cyril AUBIN, said, “I am delighted with the ISD students’ performance and concern about the environment and pursuit for low-carbon living. Their aspirations are in sync with Tramways’ vision. Furthermore, their concern about the customer and the comfort of people using the tram has impressed me. Designing trams is not just about the transport, but also about connecting with people, our city and history – the students are able to capture all that.”

One of the designs is “Flow,” in which air is dragged through two sets of meticulously-designed vertical ribs placed at the front and rear of the air tunnel on the upper deck. In addition, air is brought to the lower deck through an open staircase design.

“We have also applied semantic design language to promote passenger experience with a wavy ceiling. We want passengers to both feel cooler and realize how the improved air flow works,” said Katie CHONG, who worked on the project with Joshua WONG and Cici CHEN.

Another team developed “Seabreeze”, a modular design that makes use of the Coanda effect as realized in a seashell. It enhances the natural evaporative cooling effect by increasing each module’s surface area. Aesthetically, its wavy outlook echoes the wind blowing from the ocean.

Team member Jasmine LI said, “We have tried to upgrade air ventilation so as to encourage more people to use this fascinating low-emission means of transport.” Her teammates are Colman CHEUK and Connie CHOW.

ISD Lecturer Dr. Luisa MOK Sze-Man said, “This course develops students’ systems thinking integrated with a design approach to solve problems in real life. Coming from the design discipline, I like teaching engineering students because of their background and interest in technology, which highly enhance design solutions for, in particular, climate change challenges.”

The project was part of ISD’s course works for students to explore design interventions for systems change. It covered an iterative design development process of deliberations, verifications of concepts, testing of prototypes, and repeated improvements on designs. During the last semester, the students created a total of 10 models for tramcars.

Watch the course video here. 

 

About HKUST Division of Integrative Systems and Design

The Division of Integrative Systems and Design provides students with multidisciplinary training in integrative systems and design. It has a student-centric curriculum, constructed according to students’ talents and interests, and a project-based learning approach whereby students study and work in teams. Students acquire knowledge of design and systems thinking, expertise in specific technologies, and an entrepreneurial spirit through “learning by doing.” The emergence of disruptive innovations requires cutting-edge science and engineering advancement and creates a huge demand for innovators who can integrate know-how that spans disciplines with a human-centred mindset. 

About Hong Kong Tramways

Hong Kong Tramways Limited (Tramways) has been serving Hong Kong since 1904 and operates nowadays a fleet of 165 tramcars including two antique party tramcars, a unique “TramOramic Tour” sightseeing tramcar and an unprecedented Circus Tram which focuses on promoting Hong Kong’s art and culture experiences. Tramways is the world’s unique fleet of double-deck tramcars in operation, carrying up to 200,000 passengers every day. It has been keeping up efforts in developing a world-wide recognized icon, while offering the greenest, the most affordable and the most joyful transport mode in Hong Kong.

Tramways is owned by RATP Dev Asia.

Integrative Systems and Design
Design Thinking
Experiential Learning
Transportation
Environment
Undergraduate
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Katie Chong (right) and Jasmine Li (left) enthusiastically presented their design concepts named “Flow” and “Seabreeze” respectively.
Katie Chong (right) and Jasmine Li (left) enthusiastically presented their design concepts named “Flow” and “Seabreeze” respectively.
In the design “Flow”, air is dragged through two sets of meticulously-designed vertical ribs placed at the front and rear of the air tunnel on the upper deck. In addition, air is brought to the lower deck through an open staircase design.
In the design “Flow”, air is dragged through two sets of meticulously-designed vertical ribs placed at the front and rear of the air tunnel on the upper deck. In addition, air is brought to the lower deck through an open staircase design.
“Seabreeze” is a modular design that makes use of the Coanda effect as realized in a seashell. It enhances the natural evaporative cooling effect by increasing each module’s surface area. Aesthetically, its wavy outlook echoes the wind blowing from the ocean.
“Seabreeze” is a modular design that makes use of the Coanda effect as realized in a seashell. It enhances the natural evaporative cooling effect by increasing each module’s surface area. Aesthetically, its wavy outlook echoes the wind blowing from the ocean.
“The other door” design: A new door is placed on the upper deck for passengers to leave the tram directly in order to alleviate congestion and shorten waiting time.
“The other door” design: A new door is placed on the upper deck for passengers to leave the tram directly in order to alleviate congestion and shorten waiting time.
“Wavy flow” design: By installing a new S-curved seat in the middle of the cabin, the existing single passenger route is split into two and hence enhances passenger flow.
“Wavy flow” design: By installing a new S-curved seat in the middle of the cabin, the existing single passenger route is split into two and hence enhances passenger flow.
“Tilted seat” design: An ergonomic tilted seat that eases movement of heads and spines when passengers enjoy the views from windows.
“Tilted seat” design: An ergonomic tilted seat that eases movement of heads and spines when passengers enjoy the views from windows.
“Twofold seats” design: An automated foldable seat that provides extra capacity and increases passenger flow during rush hours.
“Twofold seats” design: An automated foldable seat that provides extra capacity and increases passenger flow during rush hours.
The “Flow signage” design improves passenger flow through communication design by using a white line on the ground indicating a walking passage, white poles as handles for soon-to-alight passengers, and digital screens to inform the next station.
The “Flow signage” design improves passenger flow through communication design by using a white line on the ground indicating a walking passage, white poles as handles for soon-to-alight passengers, and digital screens to inform the next station.
The students created a total of 10 models for tramcars during the Fall 2020 semester.
The students created a total of 10 models for tramcars during the Fall 2020 semester.
Integrative Systems and Design
Design Thinking
Experiential Learning
Transportation
Environment
Undergraduate
Share