Young ideas for LT
Page 19
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The Ogle commission should eventually result in a new body layout for the next-generation London bus, whatever chassis proves most suitable.
The students work was in competition for the Royal Society of Arts Ogle Design Bursary offered each year by Ogle Design in memory of its former chairman, John Ogier. It was jointly sponsored by London Transport, Lucas Industries and Motor Panels (Coventry).
The competition brief required the bus designs to include a requirement for both one-person or crew operation with special attention to the fare collection system. It called for a balance between standing and seated passengers on the lower deck and for special consideration of the needs of the disabled, elderly and of heavily laden passengers.
The needs of vehicle mainten ance through access to the main mechanical components and a "friendly" appearance which would not quickly date were also to be considered.
Three of the four winning designs came from the Industrial Design department of Lanchester Polytechnic in Coventry with the remaining winner provided by Manchester Polytechnic.
The winning design was the work of 28-year-old Peter Crowley, who received an award of £700. His design was for a rearengined bus with four front independently suspended and steered wheels to achieve a very low floor level.
His bus is constructed from a series of prefabricated modules. The lower deck features a series of seating bays with facing pairs of seats and incorporates a special wheelchair bay.
Runner-up Timothy Watson's design was also for a modular constructed bus featuring a narrower body closer to the road and with faired in rear wheels with the fairings used to bring the exit doors nearer to the kerb..
Joint third place was shared by 23-year-old Stephanie Hadleigh, who submitted a six-wheel bus with a four-wheel-steering layout, and 23-year-old Michael Brogan. Mr Brogan's chassis design uses a hybrid mechanical concept with a small diesel engine combined with an electronic propulsion system. The engine on the hybrid is housed under the staircase.
The awards were presented by London Transport managing director (buses) Dr David Guarmby and Ogle Design chairman and managing director Tom Karen.