Tech 124 Community Project

Mutation, Sharing, Mobilities:
A Community based design proposal.

Group #4: A Clear Vision.

The Skytrain. A mode of transportation used by hundreds of people everyday. Our focus: the Surrey Central Skytrain station. This station is the key portal where many students pass through to get to or from the SFU surrey campus. Though highly populated, the masses are constantly moving, never lingering within the station. Why? Well, there's nothing to do there. It is merely a Skytrain station with stairs and escalators to get to and from the platform, and automated fare vendors. There is nothing to do, look at, or interact with. Concentrating on the theme of mutation, with integrated sharing, our group proposes a system that both changes the look and use of the station space, and lets its passengers interact. We will replace the tiles on the platform floor with clear cubicles in which material may be place inside. These cubicles will be about the same sizes as the existing tiles, so that not all of the platform will be changed. Those that are changed will be clear cubicles that can be used as advertising space or merchandise display. The advertising space could hold actual material (props) or just an ad the size of a tile. The display of merchandise however, may have some variation.

There can be two types of merchandise display. The first will be from stores or people who wish to sell their goods. These, they can place their actual products in the display cases, or have images along with contact numbers and prices for the passengers to see as they wait for their Skytrain. This way, passengers will have something to look at while they wait. The second type of merchandise will be part of the newly integrated lottery system. These cases will hold the lottery prizes, either the actual products or pictures, along with identification numbers for pick up. The items will mostly be from corporate donors or sponsors in return for the advertising. This will be integrated into the Skytrain fair system.

The PA system within the Skytrain network will be the main means of facilitating the lottery program. This program includes having ticket numbers stamped on the Skytrain fairs bought at the station. There will be winners once every two weeks and the ticket numbers of the winners of these lottery prizes will be called over the PA system twice a day until the prizes are claimed or the two weeks are due. The winning numbers will also be part of the scrolling text in the lighted information boxes at the stations. This way, there is passenger interaction.

The main form of mutation in this proposal is the conversion from the platform tiles to the display cases. This makes for a more visually stimulating environment and changes the look of the station. There is also the lottery system that stimulates sharing between passengers, businesses, and the community. This way, the Skytrain station will be more attractive and vibrant in comparison to the dull and boring station it was before. This enables passengers to have something to look at while they await the arrival of their Skytrain.

Thus, in the ways as listed above, our proposal focuses on the idea of mutation, which also harnesses its functions in the concept of sharing. The mutation will be chiefly revolved around the changed tiles from the station platform into the clear display cubicles. These will serve as spaces for advertising and product display. Anything from posters to items may be placed within these display compartments provided that they fit within the dimensions. These items can be for sale and can be prizes from the lottery. Which leads into the idea of sharing. With the lottery system, the passengers will have a means of interaction within the Skytrain system.

The Three Fundamental Principles.

1) What can change the existing station to make it look more interesting? Make better use of waiting time to profit not only the passengers? Perhaps include interaction?

2) How can the mutated modules be made to do more than one function? Be useful and productive?

3) How can the mutation use minimal space? A big impact with little hassle? Not take up any more space than it needs or no new space consumption at all?

Tech 124
Jason C
Sheri-Ann L
Viola N
Yalda M
Kulbir G

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• skytrain
• Community
• Project
• remodel
• mutation