At Trem Diseño Industrial, we specialize in transforming ideas into solutions that impact everyday life. Recently, a few months ago we had the opportunity to collaborate on a strategic project: the conceptual design of the future PSD for the Metro de Madrid. While we can't share all the details, we want to share how our work process went and the key phases that led to the development of a solid, innovative and modular proposal, aligned with the future of urban mobility and with the Metro 4.0 brand.
What is a PSD?
Platform Screen Doors (PSD) are safety barriers installed along the edges of subway station platforms, separating the passenger area from the track box. These doors are synchronized with those of the train, opening and closing in a coordinated manner to allow users safe access to the train. The main objectives of this system are to optimize the safety and operational efficiency of the stations, prevent accidents, optimize the climate control of the platform, improve energy savings, facilitate the maintenance of cleanliness and, in short, improve the user experience.
Project Scope and Impact
The main objective of the project was to design a comprehensive concept for PSDs, a key element to improve safety and the user experience in the metro. These doors, which act as a barrier between the platform and the tracks, not only have a functional impact, but also an aesthetic and operational impact within the stations.
Our mission at Trem was to conceptualize a design that not only solved the technical and usability challenges, but was also in line with the new Metro 4.0 design language, a vision that is committed to accessibility, innovation, efficiency and sustainability in Madrid's transport systems.
Phase 1: Analysis and Strategy
The initial phase of the project was focused on the in-depth analysis of Metro de Madrid's preliminary information. This analysis was key to understand the technical and operational context in which we were going to work and provided us with the basis to draw the first specifications and requirements of the project.
PSD systems are engineering and design products of high technological level, involving user design, mechanical design, interaction, electronic operation, communication and remote management.
1.1 Project Understanding and Scope Definition
From this analysis, we were able to identify the key elements to be considered in the development of our design concept.
Review of Technical and Operational Information
Preliminary Documentation: We dove into documentation and reports detailing previous tests conducted with other PSD systems, evaluating the results and lessons learned. This allowed us to better understand the technical and operational challenges facing the Metro de Madrid system.
Pilot Testing: Information on PSD prototypes was particularly valuable in identifying which technologies and approaches had worked best and which had areas for improvement. By analyzing this data, we were able to begin to visualize how our design should address these challenges, both from a technical and usability perspective.
Defining the Technical Specifications and Product Requirements
From all the information gathered, we developed a first matrix of technical specifications, which allowed us to define the product requirements. This matrix included crucial aspects such as universal accessibility, safety of use of the system, wear resistance and durability of the proposed solutions, achieving an efficient user experience for all people interacting with the PSD, and the overall aesthetic design that would identify the new system with Metro 4.0. In addition, related to these and other aspects of the project's materialization, others were identified.
Detailed analysis of the information provided by Metro allowed us not only to understand the technical context of the project, but also to identify opportunities to improve the design and ensure that the new PSD met all operational and functional requirements.
1.2 Market Research and User Analysis
Once the scope of the project was defined, we carried out a detailed analysis of existing solutions and an exhaustive study on spatial perception, usability, anthropometry and ergonomics, in order to ensure that the proposed design would meet both technical needs and user expectations.
Analysis of Existing Solutions and Trends in Suburban Mobility
Market research: We analyzed various PSD solutions implemented in subway systems in other cities around the world. This analysis allowed us to identify both best practices and common pitfalls, which helped us anticipate potential challenges and opportunities for innovation in our own design. In addition, we studied how these solutions integrated new technologies to improve safety, sustainability and operational efficiency.
Trends in suburban mobility: As part of the analysis, we assessed emerging trends in the field of suburban mobility, highlighting the increasing adoption of more sustainable and energy-efficient technologies, as well as the growing role of automation in the operation of public transportation systems.
Integration into the environment: The specifications also considered how the PSDs should be integrated into the existing architectural design of the stations, respecting the aesthetics and visual language of Metro 4.0, as well as the operational infrastructure already in place.
User Analysis: Ergonomics, Anthropometrics and Usability
One of the main objectives of this phase was to understand the user-system interaction process in the context of a Madrid Metro station. We studied how users physically interact with the PSDs, from the moment they enter the station to the moment they are waiting for the train on the platform. In this way, we identified the key contact points between the system and the users, paying special attention to accessibility, safety and efficiency in passenger flow.
The design of future PSDs had to be aligned not only with technical criteria, but also with the physical and psychological needs of the users. To achieve this, we conducted ergonomics, anthropometry and usability studies.
Ergonomics: The PSD was designed with the comfort and accessibility of all users in mind, ensuring that interaction with the system was intuitive and comfortable. This included everything from the positioning of the doors to the ease of use of the emergency and signaling systems.
Anthropometrics: To ensure that the design was inclusive, we relied on anthropometric studies that covered users of all ages and physical abilities, especially people with reduced mobility (PRM) and the elderly. This was key to ensuring that the doors were accessible and functional for all user profiles.
Usability: In order to optimize user-system interaction, we conducted a series of tests and simulations that helped us define the most intuitive design elements. The user experience was prioritized to make the use of the PSD as easy as possible, both in normal conditions and in emergency situations.
Accessibility: Specific requirements were established to ensure that the DSPs were accessible to people with reduced mobility (PRM) and other user groups with special needs such as people with reduced visibility (PRV).
Ultimately, by the end of this phase, we had gathered a significant amount of information and analysis that served as the basis for defining the design criteria. Both functional requirements and opportunities for improving the user experience were identified, with a focus on universal accessibility and operational efficiency.
In addition, the conclusions of this phase allowed us to develop a functionalities matrix, which defined the technical parameters that the PSD had to meet to ensure efficient and safe operation. These ranged from emergency response capacity to system durability under different conditions of use.
Furthermore, we linked the technical design criteria to the client's needs and expectations. This matrix was fundamental to continue with the next phase of the project, the formal design and conceptual development of the product.
Phase 2. Formal Design and Conceptual Development
With all the data collected and the analysis completed, the project advanced to the formal design and conceptual development phase. This phase was fundamental to transform the ideas and research into a visual concept aligned with the Metro 4.0 identity.
2.1 Concept Exploration
We work intensively in the exploration of concepts. From Trem, in line with Metro de Madrid, we consider that design is not only an aesthetic issue, but also a functional resolution. For this, we relied on different creative methodologies that allowed us to visualize different proposals, always taking into account the technical and operational requirements of the project.
We made sure that the PSD design responded to the visual and operational language of Metro 4.0, taking care of every detail so that the proposal was perfectly integrated into the existing environment of the stations and complied with the required specifications.
2.2 Stakeholder collaboration
During the conceptual development we relied on the various stakeholders involved to delve into the technical aspects of the PSD, such as the feasibility of the materials to be used, the incorporation of commercial resources, considering the optimal areas to focus the information, and technical and technological aspects that would allow us to generate viable ways of working for its development and manufacture.
This feedback phase was crucial to validate and adjust our proposals based on the technical criteria and requirements of the different departments of Metro de Madrid that arose as the project progressed.
This interaction allowed us to adjust the design to the client's expectations and ensure that the proposed solutions were technically and logistically feasible.
2.3 Proposal definition
The definition of the final proposal was the result of a collaborative and deliberative process. After several rounds of internal review and presentations to the client, we selected together with Metro de Madrid the proposal that best met the technical, aesthetic and functional criteria, but also the accessibility and feasibility values that we had identified as essential.
This ongoing collaboration allowed us to fine-tune important details and ensure that the final proposal reflected not only our design ideas, but also Metro de Madrid's long-term strategic vision.
The key factors that guided the selection of the final proposal were:
Technical feasibility: We confirmed that the selected proposal could be implemented within the operational and architectural constraints of the existing stations.
Accessibility and usability: The final design prioritized comfort and accessibility for all users, especially those with reduced mobility.
Aesthetic coherence: We ensured that the proposal was in line with the visual language of Metro 4.0, creating a harmonious integration with the environment.
Modularity and scalability: The design prioritized a modular structure, allowing not only easy installation and maintenance, but also the possibility of integrating future improvements and functionalities without the need for major modifications to the existing infrastructure.
3. Final result
The end result was a conceptual design proposal that not only met the technical and operational requirements of Metro de Madrid, but also set a new standard in terms of accessibility, ergonomics and sustainability for PSDs.
The concept was designed with the user experience in mind, ensuring that access to the trains was smoother and safer, while maintaining a focus on aesthetics and functionality. Our design not only optimizes passenger flow, but also improves the daily experience of subway users, from their interaction with the automatic doors to their perception of space and safety.
The feedback received from the client was very positive, highlighting the ability to innovate within operational constraints and the commitment to create a design that was inclusive and efficient. The final proposal was delivered as a viable concept to be developed and implemented.
A project towards the future of mobility
This project represented an exciting strategic, technical and creative challenge for Trem. The conceptual design of the Madrid Metro PSD will not only contribute to improve the safety and accessibility of the system, but it is also aligned with global trends in urban mobility and fits with the visual language of Metro 4.0.
Our team is proud to have been part of a project that will positively impact millions of users in their daily lives, leading the way to a more efficient and sustainable future for public transportation in Madrid.
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