45 Public Transportation Innovations
From LED Technology for Subways to Self-Steering Buses:
Meghan Young — Oct 24, 2009 — Autos
It’s becoming ever more important to encourage people to utilize public transportation over more wasteful transit options. To do this, metros across the globe are redefining the way we travel. If that entails a simple redesign or introducing high-tech, eco-friendly transportation vehicles, they’re pulling all the stops. Check out these public transportation innovations to see for yourself.
45
Controversial Public Transit Photos
Paris Metro Nudes
44
Personal Trains
ULTRa Future Train
43
Public Transit 2.0
Florence TAV Station
42
Sexist Subways
Women-Only Transit In Seoul
41
Futuristic Bus Stops
The Solar-Powered EyeStop Makes Public Transit Smarter
40
Personal Transportation Pods
Room For Only One in the Metro Cell Vehicle
39
Crowdpowered Transit
Alex Astilean's Speedfit Treadmobile is an Exercise in Innovation
38
Eco Bus Stops
San Francisco Unveils Project for Solar Powered Transit Stations
37
Futuristic Public Transit Pods
Personal Train Capsules
36
Musical Subway Stairs
Piano Stairs Encourage People to Get Some Exercise
35
Child-Friendly Train
Japanese Public Transit for Kids by Eiji Mititooka
34
Solar-Powered Bus Stops
Johann Paquelier's Transit Design Lights Up at Night
33
Attractive Bus Stops
Mass Transit Design Lures Riders in With Comfortable Waiting Area
32
$7.64 Billion Transit Systems
The Dubai Luxury Metro System Redefines City Travel
31
Energy-Generating Subway Station Floors
East Japan Railway Harvests Power from Commuters
30
Single-Seat Buses
Slimo Allows Individualized Public Transportation
29
Ceiling-Mounted Subway Maps
GPS System Pinpoints Location on Subway Car Ceilings
28
Tranquil Spanish Subway Ad
Metro Madrid
27
Future Transit Hubs
Chicago Union Station Aims to Move Crowds Through Clouds
26
Super-Sized Fat Seats
Shameful Seating for the Obese Installed on Brazilian Subway
25
Animated Subvertising
Subway Ads Flicker in Asia
24
Extreme Public Transportation
Giant Suction Cups for Hitchhikers for 2008 Fiat Contest
23
Self-Steering Buses
UC Berkeley Magnetic Transit
22
Branded Landmarks
NYC Subway Car Gets Wrapped
21
Made in Transit Produce
Growing Food On-the-Way
20
Bottoms Up Transit
Electric Inverted Monorail Could Come to a City Near You
19
Subway Web Surfing
WiFi Rail Makes Deal with BART for Underground Internet Access
18
Nordic Metro Art Installation
The Tunnel of Light Escalator
17
Rollercoaster Metro
Carmelit Slanted Subway
16
Eco Smart Transit Signs
Solar-Powered Synchomatics Uses Autodesk to Create Digital Prototypes
15
Stylish Subway Entrances
Toulouse, France Introduces Modern Art to Public Transit
14
Subway Finder Apps
Acrossair Pinpoints the Location of the London Tube for iPhone
13
Perpetual Passenger Train
Non-Stop Metro Rail Transit
12
Underground Art Galleries
The Platform at Degrave Street Subway Station
11
Passenger Cargo Trains
The Urban Frog Serves Multipurpose Transportation
10
Subway Stations Get Mobile Service
NYC Tunnel Talk
9
Subway Cafes
Subway Tries Espresso & Paninis
8
Subway Head-Holders
Gadgets to Help Tired Commuters Take Quick Naps en Route
7
Metro Monsters
Alex Andreyev Shows the Life of Insects & Critters on the Subway
6
LED Technology for Subways
See-Through Information
5
Driverless Transportation
Personal Rapid Transport (PRT) Vehicles at Heathrow Airport
4
Trains That Mimic Nature
Renfe Protects Planet With Animal-Inspired Transportation
3
Emergency Subway Lights
The Detachable Handle Light Makes for a Safer and Calmer Train Evacuation
2
Subway Ticket Portraits
Parisian Metro Artist Luc Grateau
1
Redecorating Subway Cars
Pranksters Turn Train into a Living Room
Related Ideas
Modified Wheelchair Designs
Leaning Wheelchair Design Reduces Effort and Enhances Mobility
Multifunctional Transport Buses
The Bubblic Public Imagines the Future of Public Transit
Modular Monowheel Hoverboards
The Conceptual 'NAO.WHEEL' Works in a Variety of Orientations
Expanding Off-Grid Electric RVs
The Electric Transformer House is Sustainable and Luxurious
Multi-Person Scooter Designs
The Conceptual 'Hop' Scooter Platform Imagines a New Commuter Option
Autonomous Vehicle Coffee Makers
The 'DOTS' Vehicle Coffee Machine by Junseo Oh is Compact
Art Deco Self-Driving Vans
The Tesla Robovan Has a Sleek, Train-Like Design with Space for 20
Multifunctional Hybrid Electric Bikes
YU ID Presents the Versatile Electric Mobility Bike
Flying Car Concepts
Alef Aeronautics Comes Closer to Making Flying Cars a Reality with Model-A
Lifestyle-Conscious Transportation Pods
The KIA Pod Concept by Junseok Park Has Level 5 Autonomy
Long-Distance Electric Scooters
The 'Pro.Zui' Electric Scooter Concept by Ognjen Docic is Sleek
Hotel Room Vehicle Designs
The Mercedes x Belmond Vision Pullman Express is a Hotel on Wheels
Impairment-Aiding Navigation Apps
The Commute Booster App is Made to Help the Visually Impaired
Metro Transit-Inspired Sneakers
Off-White™️’s BE RIGHT BACK Sneaker Pays Homage to Public Transit
Shapeshifting Electric Rickshaw Scooters
The Surge S32 Has an Interchangeable Body Frame
Gen Z-Targeted Scooter Models
The Conceptual 'Omni' Electric Scooter is Customizable
Emerging Technology Publications
New Society Has Launched Its Inaugural Book About Technology
Supersonic Aircraft-Inspired EVs
The Conceptual Concorde 20+ Features Aviation Inspiration
Sustainable Electric Bike Concepts
Przemysław Wolnicki Designed the Concept E-THUNDER Bike
Sustainable Multi-Person Scooters
Of My Imagination Designs the Hop Vehicle for Urban Spaces
Water-Ready Sports Car Concepts
The Citroën Above and Under by Sangheon Chung is Transformative
Accessibility-Promoting Electric Quadricycles
This Vehicle Caters to Drivers With Disabilities
Neo-Urbanite Off-Grid eBikes
The Conceptual 'E-THUNDER' Electric Bike is Commute and Trail-Ready
Sustainable Airport Terminal Designs
This Lush Green Terminal is Powered By Renewable Energy
All-Electric Towed Trailers
The Lightship L1 Trailer is Battery-Powered and has a Minimal Design
Predictive Autonomous Vehicle Features
VERSES AI and Volvo Cars Aim to Enhance Pedestrian Safety
Special-Edition Urban E-Bikes
Hyundai is Launching a Limited Version Of the 'eXXite Next Step'
Compact Electric City Cars
KG Motors' 'mibot' Offers Enhanced Mobility
Snazzy Electric Mobility Scooters
The 'Tectus' is Designed to Transport Seniors In Safety & Style
Accessible Train Fleet Designs
VIA Rail Canada Has Introduced a Cutting-Edge Fleet of Trains
Relaxing Airplane Seat Designs
The Tranquil Airlines Seating Technology Has a Rocking Mechanism
Street Lamp Charging Stations
The 'EVIE' Lamppost EV Charger Maximizes Power Access
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Toyota Becomes a Founder Partner of Ionna Charging Stations
Ultra-Futuristic Modern Cars
The Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven EV is Visually Striking
Hydrogen-Powered Refuse Trucks
Hyzon Motors and New Way Trucks Have Entered into a Partnership
Transit Accessibility-Focused Digital Guides
Metrolinx Debuts Six Digital Guides on MagnusCards
Sustainable Smart City Solutions
Omniflow is Illuminating Sustainable Smart Cities with Edge AI
Biophilic Design Electric Vehicles
The AZULIK Mobility Electric Vehicle is Nature-Inspired
Interactive Autonomous Delivery Vehicles
The Conceptual ROBO A2Z Delivery Vehicle is Advanced
Escapism Electric Vehicle Concepts
The 'Trekker' Concept Vehicle is Imagined for Urbanites in 2030
Connected Urbanite Electric Bikes
The Pave Motors BK e-Bike Has a Sleek, Minimalist Design
Cooling Bus Shelter Designs
EMT Madrid Spearheads the Quest for Comfortable Public Transportation
Solar-Powered Rail Bus Systems
The RTA in Dubai Presents Plans for Floc Duo Rail System
Autonomous Vehicle Kits
This Kit Teaches Kids How AI is Changing Transportation Dynamics
Racer-Inspired City Car Concepts
The Nissan Concept 20-23 is Imagined as the Perfect City Car
Autonomous Interactive Shuttle Buses
The Coach Atoz Shuttle Bus by Disegno T9 is Communicative
Versatile Commercial Van Options
The New Volkswagen Transporter Comes in Several Drive Systems
Self-Guided Mobility Aids
Glidance Showcased the 'Glide' at CES 2024 as an Innovative Mobility Aid
Eco Police Vehicle Designs
This Police Car Interior by David Dahlberg is Ultra-Modern
Intelligent Grid-Reactive EV Chargers
This Kevee Smart EV Charging Technology is Advanced
Eco-Friendly Mining Trucks
This Prototype Truck is Powered By Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology
Integrated Transportation Centers
The Jinjialing Overpass Underground Transportation Center Opens
Artfully DIY-Wrapped Minibuses
Volkswagen Presents the All-Electric ID.Buzz Microbus
Sustainable Air Travel Concepts
The Airbus Airspace Cabin Vision 2035+ Concept is Eco-Focused
Electric Urbanite SUVs
The Toyota Urban Cruiser is Built on the Brand's Dedicated BEV Platform
Induction-Charging EV Systems
InductEV Offers Clean, Wireless EV-Charging Infrastructure at Scale
Cyclist Safety-Focused Smart Sensors
Vivacity Sensors are Helping with Keeping Bikers Safe
Zero-Emission Mobile Repair Trucks
Labatt Breweries of Canada Enhances Its Delivery Fleet
Weekend Excursion City Vehicles
The Playbox Urban Mobility Vehicle is Imagined for 2040
Retro-Futuristic Headlight Automobiles
BMW Vision's Neue Klasse Gears Towards an Electric Angle
IoT-Connected Traffic Beacons
This Traffic Beacon Concept Changes According to Needs
Sleek Sustainable EV Concepts
The Opel Experimental EV Concept Has Augmented Projection Technology
Accessible Subway QR Codes
Colorful QR Codes in New York's Subways Will Help People Navigate
Turtle-Inspired Sleek Automobiles
Mercedes Benz Presents a Look at the Vision iMobility
Travel-inspired Brand Campaigns
Michelin Launches the On the Road and Beyond! Campaign
Digital City-Inspired Art Works
New Digital Art is on Display in Grand Central Station
Inaugural Midsized Electric SUVs
The smart #5 Electric SUV Balances Function and Form
AI-Powered Transporting Software
Ontruck Launches AI-Powered Freight Management Solutions
Chicagoan Chatbot Services
This Chatbot Helps Users Navigate Chicago's Public Transit System
Stone Waste Street Lights
The Conceptual 'Pebble' Street Light Offers Ambient Illumination
Accessible Airline Seats
Delta is Incorporating Seats to Support Travelers with Mobility Issues
Comprehensive Travel Navigation Apps
Destination App Integrates Information from Over 800 Sources
Building-Specific Charging Cooperatives
Elby Introduces a Solution for Charging Electric Cars
Car-Free AR Lenses
Bolt's Feels Like Home Campaign Uses AR to Envision Car-Free Spaces
Self-Driving Cab App Expansions
The Robotaxi Cruise Service Will Launch on Uber Platforms
Updated Sustainable API Features
Google Adds New Features to its Ingenious Project Sunroof
Battery-Powered Food Trucks
Food Trucks are Replacing Dirty Generators with Clean Battery Systems
AI-Powered CCTV Systems
Amazon Unveils a New Emotion-Detecting AI Software for Train Passengers
Cooling Vehicle Paint Technology
Nissan is Exploring a New Paint Technology to Improve Performance
Car Transfer Service Apps
Andersen Collaborated with a Ride-Sharing Provider on This New Product
All-Electric Pope Vehicles
Pope Francis Introduces a New Popemobile by Mercedes-Benz
Underground Station Expansions
Foster + Partners Introduces Two Stations on the Sydney Metro
Friendship-Focused Election Campaigns
Flash Pack Has Introduced The Friendship Bus
Smart Parking Systems
Continental’s Radar Vision Parking Supports Software-Defined Vehicles
Vibrant Retro Transport Campaigns
VCCP Creates Public Transport Safety Campaigns for the TFL
Medium-Duty Electric Trucks
The Motiv Power System 'Argo' Trucks Will Hit the Road in 2024
Repurposed Waste Transit Tiles
Jeffrey Miller Creates Riles for the London Underground
Electric Bikeshare Programs
'Bluebikes' is Adding a Fleet of eBikes to its Rental Suite
Vehicle-to-Grid Technology Partnerships
Toyota and Pepco Join Forces on a New Project
Redesigned Unifying Transit Terminals
Foster + Partners Renovates the NY Midtown Bus Terminal
UAE-Based Smart Taxis
UAE Residents Will Be Able to Call AI Smart Taxis Thanks to Hyundai
Updated Air Taxi Designs
Hyundai Unveils the New Elevated S-A2 Air Taxi During CES
On-Demand Electric Boat Taxis
Bangkok's Electric Boat Taxi Commenced Service in July
Research-Centric Hydrogen Motorcycles
This Open-Source Two-Wheeler Aims to Encourage Innovation
Gender-Based Rideshare Features
Lyft's New Gender-Based Safety Feature is Available Across the US
Real-Time Subway Map Apps
The Weekendest Offers a Comprehensive View of the NYC Subway System
Adaptable Foldable Electric Bikes
Buzzy Bike Designs a Dynamic and Expressive E-Bike
Innovative Smart Cockpit Designs
AUO is Set to Debut the The Smart Cockpit 2024 at CES
Accesible Autonomous Transportation Services
The 'Nubit' Autonomous Mobility Service is Modular
Electric Cargo Bike-Sharing Programs
CargoB Launched in Boston as USA's First Cargo Bikeshare
Dedicated Electric Vehicle Stations
ChargeStop Works in the Growing EV Market in Canada
LED-Wrapped Airport Renovations
Prague's Airport is Getting a Sustainable and High-Tech Update
Hydrofoiling Electric Boats
Navier's 'N30' Boat Promises Eco-Friendly Waterway Transportation
Sustainable Travel Methods
Intrepid Unveils a Sustainable Travel Service to Incentivize Rail Usage
Subway-Lined Waved Panels
Ateneo Used 3D Tech to Form Sculptural Walls Around Wuyuanwan Station
Electric Van Fleets
SoCalGas Incorporated New Ford E-Transit Electric Vans into Its Fleet
Accessible Driverless Public Buses
Treasure Island Rolls Out the Loop Program in San Francisco
Rebuilt Historic Train Stations
MAD Introduces the Train Station in the Forest in China
Vibrant Public Art Installations
Rico Gatson's Installation Brings Life to Penn Station
Advanced Automobile Driver Assists
Ford's BlueCruise Feature Rolls Out as a Subscription Service
AI Navigation Upgrades
Tmap Mobility Launches an AI-Powered Revamp for its Navigation App
Dystopian Electric Vehicles
UP.FIT Refits Tesla Models Into Cyberpunk Tactile Vehicles
Kenyan E-Bike Programs
Uber Drivers in Kenya can Now Use an Uber-Branded E-Bike with Electric Boda
Recycled Automaker Fleets
Mercedes-Benz Plans to Use Recycled Raw Materials to Build New Cars
Solar Cell Cycling Paths
These Dutch Cycling Paths Are Sheathed In Photovoltaic Cells
Latticed-Steel Transport Hub Columns
Tremend Designs the Metropolitan Station in Lublin
Hyper-Fast Charging Stations
New York City's Latest EV Charging Supercenter is Powered by Gravity
Automated Transit Buses
Vicinity Motor Corp. Deploys Its Electric Bus in Michigan
Event Shuttle Rideshare Services
Uber Shuttle is Targeted Towards Sporting Events and Concerts
User-Generated Toronto Baseball Ads
GO Transit Celebrates Toronto Blue Jays with Fan-Created Ads
Comfort-Focused Business Features
Uber Launches a Series of Features to Benefit Business Travelers
Battery Electric Vehicle Lines
Iveco Group Highlights Commitment to Diverse Energy Solutions
Expanded E-Bike-Sharing Programs
BCycle will be Available in Capitola's new Sharing Program
Digital Fare Collection Services
Bloomington Transit Now Accepts Fare Payments Using a Mobile App
Affordable Public Transport Initiatives
Germany Offers Unlimited Public Transit for €49 Monthly
Grocery EV Stations
FLO and Metro Deploy Fast Charging Stations at Over 130 Grocery Locations
Student-Targeted Trip Promotions
Busbud will Offer Seven Students a Year of Free Transportation
City Exploration Apps
Concrete is a Social Exploration App Inviting Users to Discover Their City
Dynamic Interactive Lighting Installations
Zava Designs a New Light and Metal Installation
AI-Powered Transit Services
Hayden AI Aims to Improve Transit Safety with Artificial Intelligence
Taxi Round-Trip Services
Uber Unveils the Intercity Round Trips Feature for Indian Travelers
Smart Transit Solutions
NEXCOM is Unveiling a New Mobility System for Public Transit at APTA 2023
Sustainable Battery-Swapping Stations
Zepto and Battery Smart Have Committed to Greener Deliveries
Train-Specific Digital Ticketing Platforms
Save a Train Revolutionizes Global Rail Travel
Accessible Ride App Safety-Tools
Uber is Altering its App for The Safety Tools in One Place
Expanding City Cycle Paths
London's Cycleway Network Now Extends 400 Kilometers
Knitted New York Subways
The Straphangers Lounge Recreates the New York Subway with Crochet
Unique Urban Event Hires
London is Renting Tube Stations, Cable Cars, and Piers for Private Hire
Airline Premium Display Installations
United Airlines Installs Panasonic Avionics to its Planes
Belize-Based Sustainable Transportation
Belize City to Launch the Eco-Friendly eRIDE Taxi Pilot