Alstom Introduces Unified Design Philosophy for Global Rolling Stock
Alstom has unveiled a new design philosophy centered around a distinctive lighting strip, a modular approach that will soon apply to all trains, trams, metro cars, and locomotives produced across its global manufacturing plants. The transport trade show Innotrans in Berlin served as the launchpad for the strategy, zdopravy.cz reported.
Modularization has become an unavoidable trend in the rail industry, according to Alstom’s leadership. The manufacturing approach relies on standardized components that can be deployed repeatedly across different vehicle models to reduce costs and maintain strict delivery schedules.
Standardized System Limits Customization to Cut Costs
Alexis Bonnet, director of the Advanced & Creative Design department at Alstom, explained that the standardization applies directly to vehicle architecture. We have created a comprehensive design system,
Bonnet said. While it can be customized to customer wishes, the level of customization will be limited.
Every vehicle type will feature the signature lighting line. Bonnet noted that customers can still request individual adjustments, such as swapping a reflector or altering the height of the light strip. Rail operators typically prefer not to compromise on price and delivery deadlines, making a unified system an effective solution.
Traxx Locomotives and Berlin Metros Adopt New Architecture
The overhaul extends to Alstom’s locomotive lineup, led by the Traxx model, which ranks among the most widespread on European rails. We looked for simplicity,
Bonnet said, describing a design that is strong and simple to manufacture. We put a light strip on the front and back of the machine, which visually grounds the vehicle.
For urban transit, such as the metro cars built for Berlin’s U-Bahn, the design language preserves generational continuity so distinct vehicle series still belong to a recognizable family. Meanwhile, high-speed TGV trainsets will feature shorter front noses compared to the multi-meter lengths typical of Asian high-speed networks, a shift designed to increase passenger capacity.
Alstom Will Rollout New Design Elements Gradually
Anne Bigand, Alstom’s director for Passenger Experience, clarified the rollout schedule during the presentation. Some new design elements will appear in vehicle tenders soon, others later,
Bigand said. It does not mean we will introduce the new design to all vehicles immediately.