Redesigningthe Seoul Subway
Transformers
Index
1. Defining problems
2. Solving process
3. Solutions
Background
• World’s 3rd largest subway ridership• 5.6 million people take the subway every-day.
Problem Detection
More than 40% of commuters in Seoul use the subway ev-eryday –the largest share among all modes of trans-portation.
The subway is usually too crowded, especially in rush hour.
People use to get stressed out from riding the sub-way.
Source : 서울메트로 http://www.seoulmetro.co.kr/
Main problem
The Seoul subway is poorly de-signed to accommodate differ-ent people at different times.
Sub-problems
Idea generating
Problem solving
Transformable Seats• Why transform seats?
Solution 1
Crowdedness Measurement Criteria (for one part of subway)Degree of Crowded-ness
Measurement Criteria Boarding number
34% Seats are all taken. 5459% Seats are all taken and about 20 people
are standing.94
100% Seats are all taken and about 4 people are standing in front of each door.
160
150% Seats are all taken, about 8 people are standing in front of each door and 2 lines of people are standing in the middle.
240
200% Seats are all taken, about 10 people are standing in front of each door and 3 lines of people are standing in the middle.
320
250% Overly crowded in the middle and in front of each door. Passengers cannot move.
400
Average Crowdedness for each lineLine
Degree(%)
1 1422 2213 1574 2045 1606 967 1908 150M 153
Source: Seoul Metropolitan
Transformable Seats• Pushed toward the wall during rush hour.
• Anchored to the ground –at the bottom of each seat, for safety
Solution 1
Customized handles• A sensor on the ceiling automatically detects each person’s height
• Adjusted according to the height of the person under the bar
• No swinging hand straps
• All 3 bars can be utilized in rush hour
Solution2
Poles & Shorter handholds• 1 pole between doors – 4 poles per car
• For kids and shorter people who can’t reach to the upper bars
• Measure people’s body temperature and automatically adjust the
temperature in a subway car
Solution3
Subway stop indicator• The whole car banded with a line of screens
• The name of next stop moves around the car
• Increase visibility
Solution4
Vibrator in the seat• People enter the name of their destination to the vibrator
• Vibrates when the person has to get off
• Works as an alarm
• Can be connected with mobile phones via Bluetooth to give informa-tion on the stations
Solution5
Brighter lighting• Fluorescent light bars covered with translucent plastic
• Better distributes light throughout a car
• Protects your vision
Solution6
Power-generating floor• Stores the kinetic energy generated by crowds
• Used to power lightings, display systems, etc.
Solution7
usion
Thank you