THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRAIN STATIONS’ DESIGN

Abstract

Treatment of visual composition, style, and functions of train stations have evolved during successive decades; from the domination of the classic cultural character of the state in the form and proportions, passing through a period of post-World War II; where directing towards function became more important than the form and the historical value of the stations buildings, which led -with its excess- to the loss of many of the old stations buildings. The ideas and designing process of train stations had evolved to follow the several philosophies of design-led elements, such as: highlighting the cultural development of the surrounding community, space division for several activities and uses, axes planning for human gathering and the quality of the prevailing economic activity in it and divide the assembly elements and its distribution, and also keep up with the rapid evolution in rail transport technology which requires the development of infrastructure, and community activities of the surrounding population and what relates to it. A new design axis was created: respecting the human dimension; in materials, and the distribution and development of spaces of which has integrated transport with shopping and tourism, energy conservation, visual and thermal comfort internally, integration of modern technology in passenger service and queries, and security; until train stations became similar to airports in demonstration of technological development, economic renaissance and planning for the future; expressing the basis of the development of civilizations is the evolution of communication and transportation. Satisfiers & dissatisfiers of train stations Since railway users are considered customers of a service, every railway company or operative aim to satisfy them; using an improvement strategy to reach maximum operational excellence and using regular customer satisfaction surveys. The operational quality and the response of users towards the train experience (and its facilities) are measured regarding “dissatisfiers” and “satisfiers”. As a