Mr Robbie Napper - Researcher Profile

Biography

Robbie works in the Department of Design at Monash University as a Lecturer.

Robbie's principal area of research is the design, manufacture and use of public transport vehicles. His research examines the customisation of these vehicles for efficient and pleasing public transport services, and also the implications this has on the vehicle manufacturers. The styling, aesthetics, and user experience of public transport is of particular interest.

Robbie's professional background is in consumer and capital goods design and development, for Curventa Designworks (UK) and Tensator (UK). Commercial projects include work for BAA and Schiphol Airports, Suncorp Electronics, Locca Tech and Proctor and Gamble. He has continuing design studio research activity in the transport sector.

Through his role as Lecturer, Robbie aims to strengthen Monash's expertise in public transport vehicle design, and use this studio practice to inform a progressive, thorough, real-world approach to educating the next generation of industrial designers.

Qualifications

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

Institution: Monash University

Year awarded: 2011

BACHELOR OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Institution: University of Canberra

Year awarded: 2004

Publications

Journal Articles

Napper, R., 2010, Implementation challenges in mass customisation: route bus design, International Journal of Mass Customisation [P], vol 3, issue 3, Inderscience Publishers Limited, United Kingdom, pp. 259-272.

Conference Proceedings

Coxon, S., Burns, K., De Bono, A., Napper, R., 2011, An examination of three approaches to metro rolling stock design to ameliorate extended dwell times due to passenger growth and associated crowding, Australasian Transport Research Forum 2011 Proceedings, 28/09/2011-30/09/2011, PATREC, Adelaide SA Australia, pp. 1-15.

Napper, R., 2011, Minimising variation in transit bus design: Balancing operational and manufacturing needs, TRB Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers, 24/01/2011-27/01/2011, Transportation Research Board, Washington DC, USA, pp. 1-14.

Napper, R., De Bono, A., Burns, K., 2010, Reducing variation not function: lessons from applied route bus design research, 2010 ATRF: 33rd Australasian Transport Research Forum, 29 September to 1 October, Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics/ACT Local Government, Canberra, pp. 1-15.

Napper, R., De Bono, A., Burns, K.L., Coxon, S.C., 2009, Bus design guidelines: Complementing planning with vehicle design, ATRF 2009 32nd Australasian Transport Research Forum, 29 September 2009 to 1 October 2009, Ministry of Transport, Auckland, New Zealand, pp. 1-11.

Coxon, S.C., Burns, K.L., De Bono, A., Napper, R., 2009, The effect of suburban train carriage design upon punctuality, ingress and egress occlusion and passenger comfort, ATRF 2009 32nd Australasian Transport Research Forum, 29 September 2009 to 1 October 2009, Australasian Transport Research Forum (ATRF), Auckland, New Zealand, pp. 1-11.

Napper, R., Coxon, S.C., Allen, J.L., 2007, Bridging the divide: Design's role in improving multi-modal transport, ATRF 30th Australasian Transport Research Forum: Managing Transport in a Climate of Change and Uncertainty, 25-27 September, Department of Infrastructure, Melbourne, Vic, pp. 1-12.

Allen, J.L., Coxon, S.C., Napper, R., 2007, Changing the climate of public transport: A design research initiative, ATRF2007 Forum Papers - 30th Australiasian Transport Research Forum, 25 September 2007 to 27 September 2007, Department of Infrastructure, Melbourne Vic Australia, pp. 1-13.

Coxon, S.C., Napper, R., Allen, J.L., 2007, The role of industrial design in addressing the disparity between user perceptions of public and private transport, ATRF 2007 - 30th Australiasian Transport Research Forum: Managing Transport in a Climate of Change and Uncertainty, 25 September 2007 to 27 September 2007, Department of Infrastructure, Melbourne Vic Australia, pp. 1-19.

Other

Napper, R., 2012, Modular bus interior for manufacturability and operator specification, Kukjae Art Museum at Keimyung University, Korea, Korea Society of Design Trend, Daegu, South Korea, 21 - 26 May 2012.

Napper, R., 2011, Bus Driver's Area, Manufactured by Volgren Australia Pty Ltd, Korea Design Center, Korea Society of Design Trend, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, 6 to 8 May.

Napper, R., De Bono, A., Elliott, P., 2011, Bus Styling Concepts, Commissioned commercial design, Melbourne, Australia.

Napper, R., De Bono, A., Coxon, S., 2011, Optimus Project: Product Design Specification, Department of Design, Monash University, Caulfield East, Victoria, pp. 1-230.

Napper, R., 2010, Designing route buses: from bespoke to mass customisation.

Napper, R., De Bono, A., Mills, M.L., Richardson, M., Currie, G., 2010, Optimus Scoping Project - Report, Department of Design, Faculty of Art and Design, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic, pp. 1-46.

Napper, R., 2009, Route bus driver's area, Industrial design, Sydney Bus Expo.

Napper, R., 2008, FutureBus Research Project, Presentation, Bus and Coach Industrial Association (NSW), Sydney, NSW.

Napper, R., 2008, Innovation and Improvements for the Future Bus, Presentation, Bus Industry Confederation, Gold Coast, Qld.

Postgraduate Research Supervisions

Current Supervision

Program of Study:

(DOCTORATE BY RESEARCH).

Thesis Title:

A design response to urban passenger train ingress and egress occlusion and its relationship to public space, passenger comfort and utility.

Supervisors:

Napper, R (Main), Currie, G (Associate), De Bono, A (Associate).

Program of Study:

(DOCTORATE BY RESEARCH).

Thesis Title:

Design the future of public transport.

Supervisors:

Napper, R (Main), De Bono, A (Associate).