Leading transport summit pioneer, RedCabin, in partnership with the Rail Interiors Show from Mark Allen Group, has announced the shortlist of the upcoming Rail Interiors Awards as part of the RedCabin rail summit in Essen, Germany.
The Rail Interior Awards celebrates innovation across the rail interiors industry. Awards are judged against strict criteria including how likely it is that the concept becomes a reality, cost reduction, efficiency improvement, sustainability and – most importantly – the concept’s ability to improve the passenger experience in a train cabin. Comprising six categories, each focuses on specific engineering or design disciplines. The trophy is designed by zweigrad Design and produced by Sekisui Kydex.
Design Innovation of the Year
Recognising innovations that elevate passenger comfort and the overall travel experience through breakthrough design, the first shortlisted innovation is the ‘seats and hotel pods’ from Luna Rail, enabling passengers to experience a new generation of trains that optimise space usage, comfort and economics.
Other seating solutions in the shortlist included the ‘Regio Passenger Seat’ from GRAMMER AG, which is designed to meet the demands of an increasingly mobile world in regional transport, and the ‘Pendulum Seat’ from Siemens Mobility/Probatec, an intelligent solution to temporary capacity problems in local trains.
Project Collaboration of the Year
Celebrating the power of partnerships that bring new ideas and products to life, the concepts shortlisted this year showcase solutions that create innovative and stylish rail carriages on time and within budget. This includes the ‘Long Distance Rail Seating Concept’ from Recaro, Tangerine and Umlaut. RECARO’s multi-class seating concept offers ergonomic comfort and modular design for cost efficiency, with optimal comfort through advanced ergonomics and enhanced privacy.
To help meet diverse passenger preferences, N+P Innovation and Hitachi Rail’s ‘AT-Flex Visions for the Future’ project was also shortlisted. The concept, which aims to create a comfortable and personalised commuting experience, incorporates innovative solutions based on user feedback.
Other concepts included NEOMIND, DB and CHSRA’s collaboration on the ‘California High-Speed Rail (CHSR) Interior’, which places a strong emphasis on passenger comfort, functionality, and aesthetics while aligning with California’s innovative spirit.
Technological Innovation of the Year
Honouring cutting-edge technologies that transform the way we experience rail travel, shortlisted companies include suppliers of components, technologies and materials that demonstrate efficiency, passenger and crew safety, security and comfort.
The shortlisted concepts are ACTIA and Eyelights with their ‘On-board Micro Projection Technology’, which has transformed the passenger information display system by introducing high-brightness compact projectors. Congratulations also to Lantal for its ‘DEEP DYED CARPET’, designed to revolutionise carpet manufacturing with digital deep-dyeing technology that reduces water use by 60% and waste by 80%.
Rex Royal AG and its ‘Enhanced Coffee Machines’ were selected for their enhanced performance and user-friendly features tailored for the rail environment. With a 40% faster grinding process, it delivers a superior coffee experience.
Concept of the Year
Recognising forward-thinking concepts that offer a glimpse into the future of rail travel, Hitachi Rail and N+P Innovation Design were once again shortlisted for their collaboration on the ‘AT-Flex – Visions for the Future’ project.
Other concepts that have been recognised include the ‘Future Travel Studio’ from DreamSuite, with an innovative flat-bed seat concept that is a cost-effective, flexible alternative to bespoke sleeper carriages. HS2 Ltd’s ‘2024 Prototype’ has also redefined the passenger experience, focusing on groups traditionally overlooked in transport design, including families, cyclists, individuals with disabilities and neurodiverse users.
New Cabin of the Year
Highlighting new cabin designs that optimise passenger experience and comfort, the trophy will be awarded to the innovative design and/or technologies that improve the passenger experience as well as embrace sustainability and fresh thinking.
Shortlisted concepts include Skoda Group-ForCity and the ‘ForCity Smart Bonn Tram’ which combines modern aesthetics with historic city elements, Avanti West Coast’s ‘Pendolino Trains’, which blends innovative design with modern comforts and Stadler Rail with ÖBB for the ‘KISS – Cityjet’. This will form the modern, passenger-friendly and environmentally-friendly extension of the Cityjet and Railjet fleet.
Rail Cabin of the Year
Recognising excellence in rail cabin design, and providing enhanced experiences for passengers on long journeys, this trophy will be awarded to the rail carriages that the jury deems the most comfortable, environmentally sound, stylish, technologically advanced and practical.
The first concept shortlisted is ÖBB Night Jet’s ‘Nightjet Sleeper Trains’ whose success has led to the operation of Nightjet trains on 20 lines across Europe. Second is California Highspeed Rail’s ‘Electrified High-Speed Rail Service’, which has seen CHSR select Alstom and Siemens as the finalists to supply high-speed trainsets connecting Los Angeles and San Francisco.
The third concept shortlisted is Stadler Rail RS Zero for ‘RS Zero’, which marks the beginning of a new era in regional rail transport and is available in two modern and environmentally friendly drive technologies: hydrogen and battery.
Awards to Take Centre Stage at RIIS 2024, Hosted by Siemens
The winners of the Rail Interior Awards will be announced at a ceremony at RIIS in Essen, Germany, on 5 November 2024.
“The nominations that we have received this year show the genuine desire to make rail travel better for all travellers. We can’t wait to announce the finalists and present the winners with their trophies at our upcoming summit.t”
With decision-makers in train interiors all set to attend, the event aims to enhance collaboration across the entire value chain to better the passenger experience. Deutsche Bahn, Norske Tog, OBB, as well as Stadler, Alstom and CAF will all be in attendance.
To read the full shortlist, visit: https://www.railinteriorsawards.com/shortlist-categories
This article was originally published by RedCabin.
