The Melba Tram is the next generation tram that is the modern interpretation of the classic W class tram. It has been designed by Cobalt Niche. Melbourne’s trams are as famous as Sydney’s Opera House. However, the main trend in transportation vehicle designs is more towards the rationalizing model. So, the same stock of trams are seen in many places like Budapest, Amsterdam and Vienna. In spite of all this, Cobalt Niche believes that because of huge size of the Melbourne’s fleet of tram, new tram must be relevant and unique. In this approach, there are economies of scale. Some of this original W Class model, although it got phased out in 1970’s, are still functional today and the examples of this model are present in museums all across the world.
Objectives:
a. The main objectives here is to make sure the government, industry and the public get engaged in to the idea of the next generation tram in Melbourne.
b. The other objective is to explore cultural ideas, logistics and technology with in the concept of the design.
Design:
The original was designed in the retro fashion, but the 2011 model is very different from it. The main aim here was to develop the new tram in the original pattern i.e. 1923 to the latest version of 2011. The new tram is being designed in order to embrace all the latest and modern technologies, comfort and safety just like the original. It is going to showcase some of the modern public transport facility like low floor for the disabled, higher visibility for the pedestrian safety and lower power LED lightening. The color will be green and silver with a bit of contemporary finishing as compared to the original that had green and black color. The development period for the prototype is 3 weeks.
CobaltNiche task:
It mainly involves planning the entire product, and even getting involved with the project for the kick start. They will be providing the industrial designs along with the animations and CG rendering.
Finale outcome:
Melba 2011 has three side lights, a front round lamp and a route number plaque. In comparison to the original, Melba 2011 has a lower floor which is convenient for disabled passengers. The project proved as an excellent basis for team building and training exercise. The time from the conceptualization of idea to preparing the model is around 3 weeks.
Via: Cobaltniche
