2026 a_l__o_t_design® Studio722
2026 a_l__o_t_design® Studio722
2026 a_l__o_t_design® Studio722
Dual-Tier Modular Transit System
Dual-Tier Modular Transit System
eXplorer M1 | Dual-Tier Modular Transit System Awarded at the 2024 International Train Design Competition, Qingdao, China. A next-generation rail concept that seamlessly integrates surface light rail and high-capacity metro systems into a unified, adaptive mobility network.
eXplorer M1 | Dual-Tier Modular Transit System Awarded at the 2024 International Train Design Competition, Qingdao, China. A next-generation rail concept that seamlessly integrates surface light rail and high-capacity metro systems into a unified, adaptive mobility network.
eXplorer M1 | Dual-Tier Modular Transit System Awarded at the 2024 International Train Design Competition, Qingdao, China. A next-generation rail concept that seamlessly integrates surface light rail and high-capacity metro systems into a unified, adaptive mobility network.
Year
Year
Double-decker smart train / 2024
Double-decker smart train / 2024
Industry
Industry
Future Mobility / Double-Deck Rail Concept
Future Mobility / Double-Deck Rail Concept
Scope of work
Scope of work
/
Transportation Design
Transportation Design
Transportation Design
/
Industrial and Product Design
Industrial and Product Design
Industrial and Product Design
Timeline
Timeline
3 months
3 months
Design Concept
The eXplorer M1 is a next-generation rail concept engineered on a bi-modular architecture.
The eXplorer M1 is a next-generation rail concept engineered on a bi-modular architecture.
A seamlessly integrated dual-module transit system that combines an agile surface light rail network serving suburban and peripheral areas with a high-capacity underground rail network operating along the city's primary urban corridors, creating a unified, efficient, and continuous mobility ecosystem.
A seamlessly integrated dual-module transit system that combines an agile surface light rail network serving suburban and peripheral areas with a high-capacity underground rail network operating along the city's primary urban corridors, creating a unified, efficient, and continuous mobility ecosystem.
Interior design
The interior reimagines the train as a living public space, incorporating park-inspired environments that bring nature, openness, and well-being into the passenger experience.
The interior reimagines the train as a living public space, incorporating park-inspired environments that bring nature, openness, and well-being into the passenger experience.
Built around the concept of Seamless Vertical Mobility, the two modules can operate independently or as a single integrated system, allowing passengers to transfer effortlessly between transit modes by simply moving between levels while the train is in motion or at station platforms. This innovative approach eliminates traditional transfer delays, creating a faster, more intuitive, and uninterrupted commuting experience.
Built around the concept of Seamless Vertical Mobility, the two modules can operate independently or as a single integrated system, allowing passengers to transfer effortlessly between transit modes by simply moving between levels while the train is in motion or at station platforms. This innovative approach eliminates traditional transfer delays, creating a faster, more intuitive, and uninterrupted commuting experience.
Intra-Vertical Mobility
Inside the eXplorer M1, passengers can fluidly navigate between the upper and lower decks to seamlessly adjust their route, whether commuting from the outer suburbs to the high-density city center or vice versa.
Inside the eXplorer M1, passengers can fluidly navigate between the upper and lower decks to seamlessly adjust their route, whether commuting from the outer suburbs to the high-density city center or vice versa.
For peripheral areas lacking heavy rail infrastructure, the surface tram module serves as the primary neighborhood connection. These modules dynamically couple and decouple at designated interchange hubs, effortlessly transitioning between light rail and heavy subway networks. By merging two distinct transit modes into a singular vehicle ecosystem, the eXplorer M1 streamlines multimodal transfers, enhances suburban accessibility, and completely eliminates transit friction.
For peripheral areas lacking heavy rail infrastructure, the surface tram module serves as the primary neighborhood connection. These modules dynamically couple and decouple at designated interchange hubs, effortlessly transitioning between light rail and heavy subway networks. By merging two distinct transit modes into a singular vehicle ecosystem, the eXplorer M1 streamlines multimodal transfers, enhances suburban accessibility, and completely eliminates transit friction.
Conclusion
This project envisions a new generation of urban mobility where infrastructure, technology, and human experience operate as one.
This project envisions a new generation of urban mobility where infrastructure, technology, and human experience operate as one.
Engineered around Seamless Vertical Mobility, the eXplorer M1 merges light rail and heavy subway networks into a singular vehicle ecosystem. By allowing modules to dynamically couple and fluidly transfer passengers between decks, it eliminates transit friction. This innovative design earned the Bronze Award at the prestigious 2024 RVID International Train Design Competition in China. (392 chars)
Engineered around Seamless Vertical Mobility, the eXplorer M1 merges light rail and heavy subway networks into a singular vehicle ecosystem. By allowing modules to dynamically couple and fluidly transfer passengers between decks, it eliminates transit friction. This innovative design earned the Bronze Award at the prestigious 2024 RVID International Train Design Competition in China. (392 chars)
Credits
Credits
Bronze Award | RVID International Train Design Competition Awarded at the 3rd International Train Design Competition in Qingdao, China. Organized by RVID and CRRC Sifang, the event brought together leading transportation designers and industry experts to explore the future of rail mobility. 2024 Organizers & Partners RVID • CRRC Sifang • World Design Organization (WDO) • PriestmanGoode • Puli Innovation • International Council of Design • China Railway Society • Tsinghua (Qingdao) Academy of Arts Innovation Research • China Industrial Design Association • National Industrial Design Center of CRRC Sifang • Hong Kong Design Centre • Tianjin Association of Design
Bronze Award | RVID International Train Design Competition Awarded at the 3rd International Train Design Competition in Qingdao, China. Organized by RVID and CRRC Sifang, the event brought together leading transportation designers and industry experts to explore the future of rail mobility. 2024 Organizers & Partners RVID • CRRC Sifang • World Design Organization (WDO) • PriestmanGoode • Puli Innovation • International Council of Design • China Railway Society • Tsinghua (Qingdao) Academy of Arts Innovation Research • China Industrial Design Association • National Industrial Design Center of CRRC Sifang • Hong Kong Design Centre • Tianjin Association of Design
Bronze Award | RVID International Train Design Competition Awarded at the 3rd International Train Design Competition in Qingdao, China. Organized by RVID and CRRC Sifang, the event brought together leading transportation designers and industry experts to explore the future of rail mobility. 2024 Organizers & Partners RVID • CRRC Sifang • World Design Organization (WDO) • PriestmanGoode • Puli Innovation • International Council of Design • China Railway Society • Tsinghua (Qingdao) Academy of Arts Innovation Research • China Industrial Design Association • National Industrial Design Center of CRRC Sifang • Hong Kong Design Centre • Tianjin Association of Design
Head designer
Head designer
Alejandro Otálora
Alejandro Otálora
Team
Team
Erika Ospina, Alejandro Otálora
Erika Ospina, Alejandro Otálora
Company
Company
a_l__o_t_design
a_l__o_t_design
a_l__o_t_design
2026 alot_design® Studio722
Let’s design.
Tell us about your vision—whether you're looking to develop next-generation mobility, autonomous robotics, or market-ready industrial products.
Let’s design.
Tell us about your vision—whether you're looking to develop next-generation mobility, autonomous robotics, or market-ready industrial products.
2026 alot_design® Studio722
Let’s design.
Tell us about your vision—whether you're looking to develop next-generation mobility, autonomous robotics, or market-ready industrial products.