1359584 - Stations of the Future

Trannsit stations are the first experiences that cutomers come in physical contavt with and often their importance,is undervalued and unappreciated by transit planners and operating agencies. Never the less, their design, function and impact on communities are all significant factors to consider. Station functions are evolving to a higher calling as increasingly there are opportunities to enhance their presence and value to the communities they serve. In the recent past and continuing, their role in developing transit oriented developments is important. However, there is now a global trend to add even more value to stations as key focal points for intermopfal and new mobilities connectivity as cutomers demand more seemless, multimodal travel patterns and options to explore. Further, stations can and are becoming reimagined worldwide with great potentials to incorporate commercial development opportinities within them - which also serve as important financial subsidy generators to transit systems. Such more enhaced stations (or we can even call them "stations+") are key transfer points to " first and last mile" travel connections and travel options. Such reimagined stations often include public art, which further enhance their appearance and community interaction and connectivity. The presentation will highlight global station develpment patterns, innovative multi-purpose use of them utiliizng the author's specific knowledge and experience with station desgn for the New Yortk City MTA as well as his role within UITP (International Association for Public transport. Specific global and domestic examples of such stations will be discussed, incluidng their successes (or even their failures) in meeting goals and acceptanmce by the public.