Designing an integrated transport experience

Moving from place to place is as much of a part of what we do as eating and sleeping. But over time our cities can become disjointed and their physical constraints can add complications and cost when trying to improve transport connections through the public realm or to build new facilities.

Integration addresses these challenges.

It is about linking transport with its surrounding context; making connections to help people to move around; improving interchange opportunities; making public transport more attractive to existing and potential passengers; and how an integrated transport system can contribute to cities and city regions to achieve their broader economic, social and environmental objectives while making people’s lives easier and more enjoyable.

Steer Davies Gleave has been working with authorities across the globe developing design solutions, policy and guidance that address local needs through clear, practical and innovative thinking. Here we look at three examples where our integrated design experience is helping transport authorities make a difference.

Transport for London, Interchange Best Practice Guidelines 2009, UK

We produced Transport for London’s Interchange Best Practice Guidelines (IBPG) 2009, which was launched by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, and the UK’s Minister for London, Tessa Jowell, at the official opening of the new Northern ticket hall at King’s Cross St Pancras station in November 2009.

The Spatial Management Principles and thematic Evaluation Framework contained within the guidelines are already empowering Transport for London (TfL) to raise the standard of interchange design by delivering consistent advice and guidance to those within Transport for London and their delivery partners, including the London boroughs.

In developing the IBPG, a comprehensive review of current international guidance and policy related to interchange was undertaken, including one-to-one meetings and workshops with key stakeholders such as Design for London, Borough Partnerships, accessibility groups, Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, Department for Transport, Network Rail and TfL’s modal directorates. Reviews of interchange facilities in cities including Newcastle, Manchester, Liverpool, Berlin, Madrid and Amsterdam were also undertaken.

The IBPG is TfL’s first guideline document to be published as a website, with a complementary printed Quick Reference Guide designed to be portable and easy to use on site, that sets out top level principles and the key questions related to interchange design.

The updated Interchange Best Practice Guidelines 2009:

• Provide a practical toolkit for those involved in the planning, design and operation of transport interchanges
• Provide a framework for evaluation of the quality of existing and proposed interchanges, based on established appraisal techniques
• Raise awareness of TfL’s understanding of best practice, encourage its promotion and adoption by all parties
• Assist in the preparation of broader planning policies such as Local Development Frameworks and Opportunity
• Area Planning Frameworks
• Act as a portal to access useful and related best practice information and guidance
• Ultimately, improve the quality of planning, design and operation of interchanges

The guidelines can be found at www.tfl.gov.uk/interchange

Ealing Broadway Interchange, UK

The London Borough of Ealing, Crossrail and Transport for London recently commissioned a team led by Steer Davies Gleave to design and assess a series of interchange improvement options at Ealing Broadway Station. The study will develop a robust and auditable long-term solution for Ealing Broadway to meet current and future passenger needs and changes in demand due to local development and the introduction of the new Crossrail railway for London.

The study will focus on improving the urban environment and bus operations in the area. The appraisal of each option will be based on an assessment the interchange’s function, access, impact, timing, costs and buildability. The study will recommend a preferred option which will need to be ‘future-proof’ and able to cope with the future demands of local residents and visitors to the area.

Amman Bus Rapid Transit, Jordan

Appointed by the Greater Amman Municipality, Steer Davies Gleave is leading a team including Sigma Engineering and Tahan & Bushnaq Architects to design Phase 1 of the Amman Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in Jordan. The BRT is one of the city’s most ambitious transport projects and aims to deliver a step change in urban mobility for the Jordanian capital by 2011.

The Phase 1 network design is nearing completion and includes 30 kilometres of exclusive BRT lanes, as well as high-quality stations and facilities integrated into the local public realm. The creation of improved pedestrian facilities and new public spaces is central to the project’s wider objectives to transform the perception of public transport in Amman and to realise a pedestrian-friendly city for the 21st century.