Working on a transport project?

Buses and Coaches

Buses and coaches are one of the most important forms of passenger transport in the world.
Population increases and a greater focus on environmental issues means commuters are moving away from cars and embracing public transport at a rapid rate. Buses are a safe, ‘green’, affordable and inclusive mode of transport, and allows passengers to socialise or relax on the way to their destination. Using sustainable and durable products, while creating a homely feel, strikes the perfect balance for buses and coaches.

Trains

Trains also act as a major form of transport worldwide, for both short distances and across entire countries and continents. As well as carrying passengers, trains also serve to transport vital goods such as grains, coal, ore, sugar, and fertiliser. Whether carrying passengers or cargo, trains must comply with safety standards including fire ratings, as well as being durable, easy to maintain and relaxing for any passengers on board. Abet Laminati HPL and Stratificato materials are certified to European Railway Standard EN 45545-2 for fire safety.

Trams

Trams are mostly seen in large towns and cities, filling the gap between buses and trains. They generally travel shorter distances and integrate with the existing public transport. Trams provide more flexibility than buses and trains, stopping more often than trains and running faster than buses. The extremely high traffic means trams must be extremely durable and ideally weather-proof, as they are subject to people hopping on and off in all weather.

Fire Rated

Most public transport is required by law to be fire rated, to ensure passenger and staff safety. Our Italian-sourced High Pressure Laminate (HPL) is the only decorative material in Australia to hold a Group 1 fire rating, following recent independent fire testing. All our available HPL colours and timbers have been tested, with all products achieving a Group 1 status under the National Construction Code Fire Safety Verification Method.

Lightweight

The lighter a vehicle is, the more economical it is to run, as less energy is required to move it. This means a lighter train, bus or tram is cheaper for owners to operate and those savings are passed on to the users, or perhaps used for other vital public services. Sourcing surface products such our HPL that are lightweight, yet robust, durable and easy to maintain provides the perfect solution.

Durability

Durability and low maintenance are considered together as a criterion for product selection in transport design. We provide materials that perform under tough conditions and don’t contribute to the ongoing maintenance schedule of a building. Our HPL and Stratificato compact laminate don’t need constant touching up or repair and often can be used instead of painted surfaces or melamine materials.

Looking for the right surface material?

Flooring

Designing flooring for transportation vehicles is a major design challenge. Not only must the flooring look appealing, but there is most often a tight budget, a diverse demographic and lots of requirements such as fire ratings, graffiti resistance and the ability to be easily cleaned. It has extremely high traffic and it is subject to damage by commuter bikes, skateboards and other objects. Consider our HPL; it is Group 1 fire rated, very durable and resistant to graffiti and scratching.

Wall Lining

Unfortunately public transport can be subject to anti-social behaviour and the materials within the vehicles should do their best to minimise this. The requirement to cope with chewing gum, spilled drink, vomit, and sticky fingers should be a priority, with the materials maximising durability, maintainability and resistance to damage. Our wall panels by Holz in Form handle the load - plus looks stunning, providing a warm, relaxing interior for passengers during their journey.

Ceilings

With so many constraints around the design of public transport, the ceiling is perhaps the best area to show creative flair. While all the requirements of fire safety and durability still apply, the ceiling has lower contact levels with passengers and hence lower damage levels. Consider customised digital print options to inject branding, colour or texture into the vehicle. Our range of metals are also an excellent option for handles and bars.

Feature Project

The Ghan is an Australian passenger train service between the cities of Adelaide, Alice Springs and Darwin on the Adelaide–Darwin railway. Operated by Journey Beyond Rail Expeditions, it takes 54 hours to travel the 2,979 kilometres (1,851 mi) with a four-hour stopover in Alice Springs. Abet 630 Grainwood –
Project was The Ghan Platinum Carriages. The fabricator was CFCL South Australia.

Tell us what you’re working on, and we’ll help you with the best solution.