Sai Prateek Narayan
HYPER RAIL
analyzing public transportation users to enrich the smart city initiative
Fall 2013 | London, UK
with Sriram Chintamaneni
With the massive influx of population in London, there was a need to create a new form of public transportation along the River Thames. The desire to create a monorail system to help aid the demographics in London was seen as a stepping stone to project London forward among the “Smart Cities” as declared by Siemens’ research of more efficient urban regions.
One of the primary aspects that go into creating a “smart city” is the generation of a functioning public transportation system. While the London Underground and the bus system do a great deal in providing systematic and timely movement throughout the various regional zones, it is evident that a lot more can be done in creating a high-speed and efficient public transportation system for the various demographics of the city of London.
By personally analyzing the various users of public transportation in London, it was possible to divide the users into two groups - one that claim the journey as an experience, and the other as an inconvenience. With these two classifications, a design for two travel pods was generated, placed one above the other on a suspended monorail track, that incorporated a walking path. This monorail system traveled alongside the Thames river, stretching from London Heathrow to London City Airports. The design proposal grew in scale to declare itself a transportation hub - by redesigning the nearby Waterloo train station as well as the incorporation of a bus and taxi stand, thereby creating a large recreational plaza alongside the Thames River.
GROUP A WANTED LEISURE, VIEWS, PRIVACY - JOURNEY IS AN EXPERIENCE
achieved with zoning by creating private seating area and transparency
GROUP B WANTED SPEED, ABILITY TO FOCUS - JOURNEY IS AN INCONVENIENCE
achieved with a sterile non-distracting environment, aerodynamic cars and limited number of stops
