Public transport design research initiative

![CDATA[This paper introduces the first in a developing series of projects run as part of the Public Transport Design Research Initiative developed by Monash University's Faculty of Art & Design and the Institute of transport Studies. Using Melbourne as a case study third year Industrial Design students were asked to investigate the future of public transport, and present pertinent, practicable, and realisable design proposals tackling some of the key issues and problems relating to this area. The project focused upon Melbourne's 2030 plan, and in particular the proposal to increase public transport usage to 20% by the year 2020. The paper discusses four case studies of student proposals that highlight not only the diversity of design solutions that resulted in three State Awards, but also the unique approaches to undertaking the studio project. The success of the project was not only in the varied and innovative outcomes, but moreover in the development of the student designers themselves, and how they dealt with conflicting requirements, wrestled with complex design problems, and developed their capacity to design and manage a project of this nature. The different approaches and tools used to tackle the project are briefly discussed.]]