Next stop: Stations of the Future

Whether by bus, (shared) bike, or boat: nearly all public transport journeys pass through a station.

While one day mainly considered a spot to board a vehicle, stations today are an essential part of a city and its people. Stations harbour all types of travellers, serve many different purposes, and have vital implications to a city’s planning, functionality and character.

Moreover, station design and development can play a key role in making public transport more resilient in terms of sustainability, safety, and accessibility.

To support the sector in keeping on track with station development and design, UITP is proud to launch its new project Stations of the Future.

Joining forces with KONE, a global leader in the elevator and escalator industry, Stations of the Future will investigate how stations are changing and can be designed or adapted to best foster their central place in our society. A joint study will focus on how we can make our stations future-proof considering the many purposes that they serve. From connecting modes, people and places, to facilitating commercial and social activity, stations are complex and vibrant places, and Stations of the Future will investigate them as such.

The project will look at how stations should evolve in the short and mid-term future, while analysing current trends that influence stations’ development. UITP and KONE will provide guidelines on how the sector should conceive a Station of the Future in different contexts and city dimensions and at worldwide level.

Stations of the Future will tackle station design from different perspectives. On the one hand, passengers will take a central stage: How do they experience stations, and how can we make their journeys more attractive, accessible and safe?

Another view will take place from behind the scenes. While hidden from passengers’ eyes, aspects important for operators, city planners and authorities are vital for making our stations future proof. The project will report on how PTAs and PTOs should and would consider stations, taking into account aspects such as integration of transport modes, people movement and guidance, energy and asset management, or resilience against climate change.

Are you a UITP member and do you want to help shape the Stations of the Future?

UITP and KONE are looking for Ambassadors to participate in the project’s Working Group. The group is open for those who want to contribute with their knowledge and expertise on station design and development. Ambassadors will be asked to participate in meetings and workshops, provide best practices, and review and endorse deliverables.

For more information, please contact [email protected].

Read our official press release