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This Social-Distancing Tram Has An Interior That Limits The Spread Of Coronavirus
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This Social-Distancing Tram Has An Interior That Limits The Spread Of Coronavirus

This Driverless Social-Distancing Tram Has An Interior That Limits The Spread Of CoronavirusItalian Designer Presents A Driverless Social-Distancing Tram For The City Of Hong Kong'Island': A Driverless Social-Distancing Tram That Reimagines Public Transport For The Prevention Of Coronavirus'Island': A Social-Distancing Tram From The Future That Is Designed To Help Fight CoronavirusThis Driverless Social-Distancing Tram's Design Is Unique For Its Interior Which Limits The Spread Of CoronavirusThe Interior Of This Driverless Social-Distancing Tram Can Help Limit The Spread Of CoronavirusDesigner Introduces A Driverless Social-Distancing Tram Whose Interior Can Limit The Spread Of CoronavirusDesigner Suggests A Driverless Social-Distancing Tram For Hong Kong, With An Interior That Limits The Spread Of CoronavirusDesigner Comes Up With A Driverless Tram For Hong Kong, Whose Interior Can Limit The Spread Of CoronavirusThis Social-Distancing Tram Has An Interior That Limits The Spread Of Coronavirus
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Hong Kong-based Italian designer Andrea Ponti has just presented Island, a double-decker driverless tram that’s dedicated to his home city with an emphasis on social distancing. It incorporates industrial, transportation, and public design, trying to provide mobility and sustainability in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

This innovative project is like a display of Ponti’s 14 years’ worth of experience in product and industrial design which he built working with global companies including Panasonic, Philips, and Samsonite.

More info: andreaponti.com | Facebook | Instagram

Island is a double-decker driverless tram designed for the city of Hong Kong

Image credits: andrea ponti

“The idea of designing a tram is no coincidence,” Ponti wrote on his website. “Trams are one of the city’s landmarks and the tramways celebrate their 115th anniversary this year. The concept of social distancing, which limits people’s freedom to move and interact became the design challenge and focal point for the new concept.”

Image credits: andrea ponti

“In Hong Kong, we did not experience a full lockdown like in Italy, Europe, or the United States,” the designer told Bored Panda. “Like everywhere else, everyday life changed in terms of personal and social behaviours. I believe that design is the mirror of our culture and behaviours, and as an industrial designer, it’s crucial for me to observe social changes and understand their impact on the products we create.”

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Ponti said he wanted to redesign the Hong Kong tram since last year, but until now his team couldn’t find the time and resources. “The pandemic gave us a good reason to start the project. When everyone started designing masks and face-shields, we decided to focus on the post-COVID period on a wider public scale. The design took shape in a couple of months and everything was created around the idea of a new layout of the interiors.”

Image credits: andrea ponti

The exterior design is inspired by the urban landscape of Hong Kong, which features vast surfaces of glass and rounded-corner buildings

Image credits: andrea ponti

Image credits: andrea ponti

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Image credits: andrea ponti

The name Island references the innovative design of the interiors, where large circular benches facilitate social distancing and passengers sit facing outwards in a radial pattern

Image credits: andrea ponti

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Image credits: andrea ponti

“Natural light floods the interiors during the day through the curved windows and a domed top, which also provide awe-inspiring views at night,” Ponti added. “The driverless technology optimizes the interior space of the tram, making it easier to manage travel times and increase onboard safety.”

Image credits: andrea ponti

The tram has a retractable connector for rapid charging at tram stops while the large vertical LEDs enhance visibility in all weather conditions

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Image credits: andrea ponti

Image credits: andrea ponti

Image credits: andrea ponti

The project includes exterior, interior, and tram stop design

Image credits: andrea ponti

The interior design contrasts with the exterior. “Minimalist design, charcoal black walls, soft circular seating, wooden floors and trims with a natural finish all create a neutral and friendly environment. This chromatic diversity, in addition to the dark color palette, frames and accentuates the beauty of the Hong Kong urban landscape. The simple tram stop structure has sleek, essential lines. Being open on both sides, it facilitates a linear, orderly flow of people and a healthier environment.”

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Image credits: andrea ponti

“With the Coronavirus pandemic, people are shunning public transport and relying much more on private transport”

Image credits: andrea ponti

“We wanted to reimagine public transport in the post-COVID era from a prevention perspective”

Image credits: andrea ponti

“Especially in the densely populated city of Hong Kong, where social distancing is hard to achieve”

Image credits: andrea ponti

Here’s what people said about the concept

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Rokas Laurinavičius

Rokas Laurinavičius

Author, BoredPanda staff

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Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 300 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.

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Rokas Laurinavičius

Rokas Laurinavičius

Author, BoredPanda staff

Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 300 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.

Denis Tymulis

Denis Tymulis

Author, Community member

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Denis is a photo editor at Bored Panda. After getting his bachelor's degree in Multimedia and Computer Design, he tried to succeed in digital design, advertising, and branding. Also, Denis really enjoys sports and loves everything related to board sports and water.

Read less »

Denis Tymulis

Denis Tymulis

Author, Community member

Denis is a photo editor at Bored Panda. After getting his bachelor's degree in Multimedia and Computer Design, he tried to succeed in digital design, advertising, and branding. Also, Denis really enjoys sports and loves everything related to board sports and water.

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Martha Meyer
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This kind of looks like it could easily topple over during a strong storm or if hit by another vehicle.

Up All Night
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Every double-decker looks like that, but believe me, the lower part is much more heavier while the upper part is lightweight.

Load More Replies...
N G
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is this new ? I saw it in one of the harry potter films.

Up All Night
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I doubt these two are comparable. Do you react to every new car model with the remark "but cars are already invented"?

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Pamela24
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a huge huge tram nerd, this is very interesting to read. I was really disappointed when I found out that there are barely any other places with double-decker trams in the world.

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Martha Meyer
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This kind of looks like it could easily topple over during a strong storm or if hit by another vehicle.

Up All Night
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Every double-decker looks like that, but believe me, the lower part is much more heavier while the upper part is lightweight.

Load More Replies...
N G
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is this new ? I saw it in one of the harry potter films.

Up All Night
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I doubt these two are comparable. Do you react to every new car model with the remark "but cars are already invented"?

Load More Replies...
Pamela24
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a huge huge tram nerd, this is very interesting to read. I was really disappointed when I found out that there are barely any other places with double-decker trams in the world.

Load More Comments
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