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News Release from: Coventry University
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 17 June 2003
"Cool and sexy" bus design on show
A group of Coventry University transport design students have designed a "cool and sexy" new double-decker bus for London to replace the traditional red Routemaster buses.
A group of Coventry University transport design students have designed a "cool and sexy" new double-decker bus for London to replace the traditional red Routemaster buses and meet the needs of today's passengers The students were asked to produce a design that could shake off the bus' image as a second rate means of transport
With its rounded front, ultralow floor and novel interior layout, it is very different from today's London buses.
The Coventry team has been working in collaboration with Eric Woodcock, a former Leyland bus designer who now heads a consulting group in a large IT company.
Woodcock said: "Current bus designs rest on basic layouts developed in the 1930s.
Trends like easy access for wheelchairs, fare collection off the bus, and a better environment for the driver point to the new for a fundamental re-think of bus design".
In response, he has developed a new concept - called the Lobus.
"I decided to put the engine at the front with the driver, and have front wheel drive.
This creates a self-contained power module.
The passenger space can then be a very simple structure, with an extremely low floor level and huge freedom in where you put seats, doors and so on.
Providing safe areas for wheelchairs and buggies becomes very easy.
Very small rear wheels minimise intrusion into this passenger space".
The London design takes full advantage of Woodcock's concept.
The doors are laid out to allow rapid boarding and alighting.
The driver sits in a central position over the running units with a commanding view of the road.
There is CCTV to ensure passenger security, and the driver can communicate with passengers via a public address system.
"We wanted to create a design that people would really want to ride on.
It had to be cool and sexy - a place to be seen.
For the interior, we abandoned regimented rows of seats in favour of more sociable layouts with provision for in-journey information or entertainment systems", said the Coventry team.
"The lower deck provides space for wheelchairs and plenty of standing room for those on short hops whilst the upper deck, easily accessed by a straight staircase, is all-seating for those on longer journeys or who wish to sightsee.
Incorporating large areas of dark-tinted or even mirrored glass, the bus reflects its surroundings as it drives along and makes a strong visual impact that could become as much of a London icon as the beloved red Routemaster".
Woodcock doesn't expect his Lobus design to go into production for some time.
There are still many technical problems to solve.
But the biggest challenge is convincing politicians, bus operators and manufacturers to take a completely fresh look at what a bus should be like.
Woodcock said: "The design produced by the Coventry students is even more radical than I expected.
But that's great, because it will catch people's attention and get them debating bus design - which is what I want to happen".
The design for the new London bus will be on display at Coventry University's Degree Show which runs until 19th June 2003.
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