SL18 Tram for all - Sporveien

Using an inclusive design approach ensured that travellers' and employees' diverse voices, experiences and insights were present from beginning to end. To start, we produced a visionary and engaging Design Guide with Ruter's internal design team, Sporveien's diverse teams, representatives from different employee unions, technical managers, stakeholders, and many different interest organisations. The early and extensive involvement ensured a design guide that travellers and employees in Oslo felt ownership over, that could challenge the suppliers by setting a clear vision, requirements and guidelines for the interiors, exteriors and overall Oslo tram experience.

Throughout the procurement, design and development of the new trams, we continuously conducted interviews, surveys, observation and testing with travellers of all shapes, sizes and abilities. We also worked closely with drivers and other employees to ensure a good working environment. Activities included, among many other things, building and testing with life-size cardboard models and running three full-scale tests of a 1:1 mockup, continually iterating after each test. This vast user involvement process taught us about challenges and opportunities, which we converted to change requests. The fact that we worked this way throughout allowed Sporveien and Ruter to negotiate with the vendor, CAF, to modify their standard Urbos 100 light rail vehicle platform.

Involving users from the start also meant that each design detail was discussed from several perspectives. By using inclusive design, we have proudly helped create and deliver the most inclusive and user-friendly tram for Oslo's citizens for the next 30-40 years.

The new tram is one of the most significant infrastructure investments undertaken by Oslo Municipality. An inclusive design approach has been critical in shaping 'the blue veins' that will be a prominent and essential part of Oslo's infrastructure, making public transport accessible for Oslo's citizens.

This project has developed Sporveien and Ruter's understanding of the importance of bringing in designers and design approaches to involve and engage stakeholders and users in co-creating the new trams.