Redesigning the Seoul Subway

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