6 October 2006
A design for a narrower Melbourne tram, made from aluminium, has won two Premier's Design Awards for a pair of Monash University Art and Design students.
Their design of a narrow tram that runs on a single track earned Mr Ben Last and Mr Jess Cameron-Wootten the Premier's Student Design Award and the Premier's Student Product Design Prize.
Mr Last and Mr Cameron-Wootten created the Melbourne Public Transport 2020 - Single Track Tram System design for their third year Bachelor of Industrial Design project.
The narrower tram design would free up road space for other users, alleviating the problem of slowing and stopping traffic caught behind trams, and associated air pollution. Made from recyclable aluminium, it would be a fraction of the manufacturing cost of present models. The design also incorporates tram stops that could be easily modified or entirely removed to allow more street space.
Mr Last said the design was inspired by the desire to maximise the efficiency and capacity of Melbourne's light rail system -one of the best in the world.
He and Mr Cameron-Wootten were thrilled to be recognised with the two awards. "We are really blown away to achieve something like this, and for our project to be picked out of all the other student entries from around the state. It reflects well on the standard of design courses at Monash too," Mr Last said.
The pair are now employed, designing Holden car interiors and exteriors, and they plan to combine that work with the completion of their Honours year next year.
Victorian Minister for Manufacturing and Export, Mr Andre Haermeyer announced the awards at the Melbourne Museum in Carlton on 2 October.
For more information contact Ms Sharon Lee, Media Communications on +61 3 9905 9919.
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