DESIGN NAME: Vilnius Iron Wolf
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Bus cabin
INSPIRATION: Vilnius bus (tram-like) front cabin design final characteristics were inspired by the legend of an unusual creation of the city: Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas "Dream of the Iron Wolf", as a symbol of where the city should rise from. Main character traits (aerodynamic shape and a strict heavy lines) with abstract techniques were used to convey public transport cab style. Main "wolfy" character trait are eyes (headlights) one of the most important features that should be tough, powerful, but not aggressive.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: "Front Cabin Design of the Vilnius City Tram" was initiated by Vilnius City municipality in order to modernize infrastructure and implement a new way of circulation inside the city for its' habitats. Representatives of the Vilnius city municipality wished to have not only an environmentally friendly and modern type of public transportation, but also to define the front cabin style with its own "face" symbolizing character of the capital of Lithuania.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: Steel structure of the cabin and modular front part segments designed for easy transportation and fast assembly of the front cabin. Parts are easily replaceable in case of damage and provide a personalization possibility for different routes (for example route Nr. 1 can be white coloured, route Nr. 2 can be dark coloured and etc.)
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: A Vilnius Academy of Arts Design bachelor's degree thesis on the subject "Front Cabin Design of the Vilnius City Tram" has started in February 2012 and was finished in June of 2012 at Vilnius Lithuania.
FITS BEST INTO CATEGORY: Vehicle, Mobility and Transportation Design
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: The advanced guided bus has zero emission engines. This type of tram-like public transport is energy efficient and low at production cost (the infrastructure is cheaper - less maintenance, no rails and overhead lines). The navigation consists of a pre-programmed route, which is verified by the usage of the magnets built into the road allowing also to recharge the battery by means of electromagnetic induction (battery is much smaller, less heavy and environmentally-friendly).
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: Cabin size: 2550 x 2285 x 3200 mm;
Front bearing part and fenders: 2550 x 2282 x 1228 mm;
Front window underframe (2 pcs): 1850 x 1030 x 2077 mm;
Front bumper: 2550 x 723 x 285 mm;
Headlights: 816 x 563 x 861 mm.
TAGS: iron, wolf, Vilnius, Lithuania, tram, public, transport, legend, bus, cabin
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: In the beginning of design project the existing situation of the Vilnius public transportation and its’ stylistic outlook was analyzed and compared to the visual expression, iconic design of other capitals across the globe that have its’ own strong recognizable character. The tram-like base of the bus, ratio, proportions and style were studied and implemented with semantic story, the legend of creation of the city that is revealed with unique style and character of the front cabin of the bus.
CHALLENGE: During the design process one the most challenging tasks was to match the front of the tram to the style of existing base - despite the long size of the tramway it had to be a dynamic with rigid cab character, but not hostile in order to suit different age and type of people. Easy readable, but not too inactive shape of the letter "V" in the front of the tram reminds its' city residents and capital visitors of Vilnius Wolf and the legend of the foundation.
ADDED DATE: 2016-03-06 19:31:38
TEAM MEMBERS (1) :
IMAGE CREDITS: Denis Orlenok, 2015.
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