To ensure that trains for the new HS2 line meet the needs of passengers and staff, a range of customer groups have been experiencing wooden mock-ups of the trains.

Twenty user groups including those with reduced mobility, cyclists, and young families, have been taking part since the start of this year looking at different options for boarding and alighting from the trains, positioning of grab rails to aid mobility and support, and the layout of toilets, especially for wheelchair users the café, and child buggy storage.

Feedback from user groups and market research is part of the refinement process to ensure the final designs meet the needs of passengers and staff.

This is the most extensive project of its kind in the UK and is being conducted by West Coast Partnership Development (WCPD), HS2 Ltd, and its manufacturing partner, joint venture Hitachi-Alstom High Speed (HAH-S).

West Coast Partnership Development, which is the train’s future operator, arranged for the groups to provide feedback on the designs as well as receiving insights from their ‘customer community’ of 5,000 people who have a mix of travelling needs.

Seating will be a mix of airline-style seats in rows and four-table seats. To enhance convenience and reduce stress levels, overhead and under-seat storage space has been maximised to accommodate a variety of baggage and case sizes.

After receiving user feedback, grab handles near the doors have been re-positioned, a ‘step-free’ solution has been designed for use at HS2 stations, and the layout of USB-C sockets and tray tables has been rearranged.

Future user group sessions will help designers to finalise passenger seat designs to ensure they are comfortable for everyone on long journeys; as well as optimising the train’s LED lighting system to help deliver an enhanced ambience throughout the day and across the seasons.

This is not the first time that HS2 has commissioned external research, as it commisisoned an audit of archaeological discoveries made during the line’s construction.

“I’m confident that work with both WCPD and HAH-S, plus our innovative design refinement approach, will deliver a quality product that stands the test of time.”

James Dawson, HS2 Ltd senior rolling stock engineer