Here's another entry from the New Bus for London competition, this time by London-based architect Matthew Heywood.
The winners of the competition were announced last week - see our previous story.
"The Routemaster bus had character," says Heywood. "The design suggested personality; we have striven to create a bus with a similar character or personality."
The following text is from Matthew Heywood Architecture:
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DESIGN
The design of this new bus is a direct development from the Routemaster. Our intention is to keep the best aspects while bringing the design up to date."The design reflects advances in vehicular technology as well as modern transport strategy.
CHARACTER
The asymmetric nature of the original Routemaster has been maintained. Every element of the external and internal appearance has been carefully considered to contribute to the whole.
INTERIOR
The seating layout has changed to reflect the way that people use the space available. The lower deck has increased standing and circulation space to allow better use of the space when the bus is busy. Increased accessibility is vital to the success of a new bus design. The majority of bus passengers in London are tavelling alone. The conventional double seat layout leads to poor use of space - passengers choosing to take an empty double seat rather than sit next to another passenger. By increasing the choice of seating arrangements, the space will be better used and circulation improved. The seats on the lower deck are arranged in banks of inward facing seats (a popular arrangement in other transportation designs).
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
The heating/cooling of the bus interior is a problem which must be addressed in a new 21st century bus. We propose an automatic comfort cooled/warmed system which ends the current reliance on driver/passenger control. Full blown air conditioning is neither necessary or desirable.
SAFETY
The design proposes extensive use of cameras to provide the driver with a full view of passengers within and boarding/alighting the bus.
CAPACITY
The design allows for an occupancy of 72. The bus could easily be longer and consequently hold more passengers. Increasing the vehicle size has to be balanced with the reduced monouverability and increased weight.