Citiport: A Revolution in Public Transportation

Anadolu Isuzu Design Team's Human-Centric Approach to Urban Mobility

The inspiration behind Citiport's design lies in the heart of the city, where its primary users reside. The design team adopted a human-centric approach, focusing on comfort, safety, ergonomics, and accessibility. They frequently interacted with disadvantaged communities to better understand their needs and concerns, which significantly influenced the design process. The result is a dynamic and robust vehicle that promises an equal travel experience for all.

What sets Citiport apart from other public transportation vehicles is its innovative design. The side line below the window is lowered, making the interior more spacious and bright. This feature also enhances the travel experience for wheelchair users. Other unique features include a sliding indicator from the front to the side for improved panel visibility, an installed audio induction loop system for the hearing impaired, and an extreme conditions first aid kit equipped with a defibrillator, emergency blanket, oropharyngeal airway, and ambu bag.

Citiport is one of the lightest vehicles of its size, yet it is built to last. The vehicle underwent rigorous testing to simulate 750,000 km of customer usage. Its chassis and main structural elements are made of steel and aluminum, while the outer shell is composed of sheet metal, fiber-reinforced polymer, and tempered glass. The interior surfaces feature a variety of materials and production methods, including ABS, PU, PVC, and various composites.

Technical specifications of Citiport include a length of 12030, width of 2550, and height of 3136 (including the A/C unit). It is equipped with a ZF 6-speed full automatic transmission and a 6-cylinder common rail turbo diesel Cummins engine, which produces 300 horsepower at 2100. With a passenger capacity of up to 97 people, Citiport is designed to cater to the high-volume demands of urban transportation.

The design process of Citiport, which took place over 24 months in Kocaeli, Turkey, involved extensive research and interaction. The team conducted focus groups, field surveys, and interviews to identify the needs and expectations of potential buyers, users, drivers, and operators. They also attended meetings with disabled individuals to better understand their needs and improve the product experience.

Despite the challenges faced during the design process, such as collaborating with a healthcare company to define the content of the extreme conditions first aid kit and designing the side line of the bus in a dynamic way, the team successfully added significant value for all users. Citiport's design language can be defined as strong and dynamic, with a focus on human-oriented design. Its lowered sideline allows more light to enter and makes it suitable for wheelchair users to watch out during the trip. The continuous information display at the corner of the bus provides a better view for passengers waiting at the bus stop.

The innovative design of Citiport has been recognized with the prestigious Golden A' Vehicle, Mobility and Transportation Design Award in 2018. This award is granted to marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom. They are venerated products and bright ideas that advance art, science, design, and technology, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with their desirable characteristics.