Terrorism was actually just one of the factors that had to be considered in the design of a new rubbish bin for train stations. The result shows how a wide range of functional and aesthetic concerns can be met by a single, well thought-out design.
In 2009 the Designing Out Crime research centre (DOC) at the University of Technology, Sydney, was approached to design a rubbish bin for use on NSW train stations. The clients were RailCorp, the government corporation managing Sydney's rail stations, and the New South Wales Police, Counter-Terrorism unit.
The design problem was put to final-year design students, following which the DOC staff teamed up with an industrial designer to produce a prototype. The prototype is a front-loading, tamper-proof, semi-transparent modular bin that can be wall-mounted securely and x-rayed if required without being dismantled.
A manufactured version of the prototype is now in use in Sydney train stations.
Problem background
DOC was initially given the job of assisting NSW Police, Counter-Terrorism Unit to provide design silutions to protect the tourist and commuter transport hub of Circular Quay from possible terrorist threat.
A core focus was the question of rubbish bins on train stations. In advance of the 200 Sydney Olympic Games, RailCorp removed all rubbish bins from city and suburban trains, platforms and station concourses with a view to minimising the threat of terrorist attack. The terrorist attacks on New York's World Trade Centre on 11 of September, 2001 further confirmed the need for rigorous counter terrorism measures.
For nearly a decade following, Sydney's rail users had been carrying their rubbish with them, or (probably more often) leaving it on RailCorp property. During this period, RailCorp's customer service team received more complaints about the inconvenience, uncleanliness and unsightliness caused by lack of rubbish disposal facilities than about most other aspects of its rail service. The issue of public dissatisfaction had become a serious concern for RailCorp by the time the authority engaged DOC to design a rubbish receptacle for its stations.
Response
In considering options for the design of a rubbish bin for train stations, DOC's primary imperative was to create a solution that would be resistant to terrorist attack.
As the DOC team and students began brainstorming ideas, a design paradox quickly became apparent. Counter terrorism measures are often of great inconvenience to the public – for example, the confiscation by airline security of all objects deemed to be sharp, regardless of their usual function or their value; or, indeed, the evacuation of entire train stations when a larger-than-normal package is noticed in a rubbish bin. Since the disruption of normal life is an objective of terrorism, cumbersome security measures can actually do some of the terrorists’ work for them. DOC determined that there was a particular need to ensure, as much as possible, that counter-terrorism measures did not directly inconvenience passengers. The DOC team also needed to consider RailCorp’s specific needs concerning garbage disposal. The capacity of the bins was important to RailCorp, since if they were too small the station staff would be unable to keep them from overflowing, while if they were too big they risked obstructing the flow of people, especially during peak times. The bins needed also to be easily accessible by people with restricted mobility.
Considering that one of the public’s concerns was the unsightliness caused by rubbish on station property, DOC also resolved that the appearance of the bin was important to the success of the solution. The bin needed to be aesthetically pleasing while satisfying its functional needs. Additionally, like all station property, the bin needed to be resistant to malicious damage and graffiti, as the cost of graffiti removal and replacement of damaged property represented a considerable expense for RailCorp.
The solution
Various bin designs were considered, but the winning design included a number of innovative features to ensure it satisfied the stated requirements in a variety of ways. The bin’s most novel feature (which has been patented) is a narrow gap at the back to permit the insertion of an x-ray panel to allow safe examination of contents. Vibration-proof rails surround the gap into which the x-ray panel is inserted so the bin can be examined without the slightest movement to the structure or its contents – thus avoiding triggering a vibration-sensitive bomb. This feature eliminates the need to pre- emptively evacuate passengers from the station.
A simple front-locking system prevents the bin opening ordinarily but ensures that it can be unfastened quickly and easily by a police robot if it is deemed necessary to further examine the bin’s contents.
The bin has a narrow, circular aperture allowing disposal of standard passenger rubbish but restricting the dumping of large items. The bin itself is narrow with relatively small volume to restrict overall capacity as well as to attract the regular attention of cleaners. The narrowness also allows it to be placed unobtrusively in various locations. It can also be wall or floor mounted.
The bin’s top and side panels are half-translucent, allowing for quick visual inspection. However, the materials from which the panels are constructed are corrugated and perforated to prevent the bin becoming a target for graffiti. The front panel, which is the largest and most accessible, is made of polycarbonate in a concertina mould, so that it is very strong and damage-resistant.
Finally, the bin is constructed of a number of separate components to ensure cheap and easy replacement if it is needed.
Implementation/production
The prototyped design was changed in production but the key features of the original design (including the x-ray capacity, front-locking system, size of aperture and panel transparency) were retained.
The bin is now in use at the major Sydney city train stations and is intended to be gradually introduced to suburban stations.