The project, which was funded by Britain’s Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) as part of the Tomorrow’s Train Design Today programme, produced two seating concepts - Horizon and Island Bay -which can be installed on new or existing rolling stock.

Priestmangoode seat2Horizon (pictured left) enables seating capacity on a typical commuter train to be increased by 20-30% while also increasing standing space. The seat has been designed in collaboration with an ergonomist to ensure it offers a fully supported seating position.

A staggered seat design increases shoulder space between passengers to give an enhanced feeling of personal space. Each seat has two foot rests to accommodate passengers of different heights, a table for mobile devices, a USB charging bar, and at-seat luggage storage and bag hooks.

Island Bay (pictured below) is a flexible system designed to provide standard seating density during off-peak periods and a higher density in the peak. PriestmanGoode says this configuration offers 15-20% more seats and increased standing capacity, with increased seat width and a dual-purpose table/window seat.

The design includes an end-of-bay seat with a padded back rest. Foot rests accommodate passengers of different heights when the seats are in high density mode.

With a wider-than-average aisle, Island Bay offers improved access for passengers in wheelchairs and those with pushchairs, large luggage, or folding bicycles. USB ports are also provided at every seat.

PriestmanGoode worked with Transcal Engineering as manufacturing partner for the project, which was also supported by Rail Interiors Solution, a Scottish consortium including Replin, Andrew Muirhead, Novograf, and Forbo.

Priestmangoode seat3

Priestmangoode seat4