far-sighted experiential learning project has seen undergraduates from the School of Engineering’s Division of Integrative Systems and Design (ISD) collaborate with Hong Kong Tramways to devise innovative eco-friendly design concepts for a future fleet of the city’s iconic trams. The project was focused on extending the trams’ low-carbon footprint, helping to develop students’ critical and creative thinking in approaching complex social problems, particularly those related to the global challenges of climate change, and o ering some intriguing ideas for Hong Kong Tramways. Twenty-seven students participated in the Systems Thinking and Design course, led by Dr. Luisa MOK Sze-Man, Lecturer, ISD, in the Fall semester, resulting in a total of diverse models that sought to enhance passenger flow and improve air ventilation in future vehicles. Hong Kong’s trams have been in operation since , with those now rolling along the tracks mostly belonging to the sixth and seventh generations of design. Looking ahead to the eighth generation, students took creative approaches to solving the di erent operational challenges. One team tackled the air ventilation issue through the use of a specially designed passive air tunnel system to improve upper deck ventilation, an open staircase connecting to the air tunnel to boost lower deck ventilation, and a wavy structured ceiling design for look’n’feel and passenger experience. Other student concepts ranged from the use of evaporative cooling, among other e ects, to solve the high-temperature issue to ergonomic tilted seats to help passengers’ posture, and an improved staircase design to enhance safety and passenger flow. Mr. Cyril AUBIN, Managing Director of Hong Kong Tramways, said he had been impressed by the students’ concern for both the environment and the comfort of tram users. “Designing trams is not just about the transport, but also about connecting with people, our city and history,” he pointed out. “The students were able to capture all that.” Prof. TSUI Chi-Ying, Head of ISD, further noted that the project had helped students to develop ideas in a useful, creative, and aesthetic way, which was “what we want to see”. ISD o ers a distinctive student-centric curriculum and project-based learning approach, providing students with multidisciplinary training in integrative systems and design by studying and working in teams. Designs on trams of the future A The Seabreeze team used evaporative cooling and the Coanda effect in its design. The Flow team sought to improve upper deck ventilation and provided a wavy ceiling design to enhance the look’n’feel for passengers. Prof. Tsui Chi-Ying (third right), Dr. Luisa Mok (second left), Mr. Cyril Aubin and Mr. Nixon Cheung, Hong Kong Tramways (third and rst left), with students Jasmine Li, Seabreeze team, and Katie Chong, Flow team ( rst and second right). 11 IN FOCUS
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