Alstom’s Avelia Horizon high-speed train wins prestigious design award

Posted: 18 November 2021 | Global Railway Review | No comments yet

For the project, Alstom strove to emphasise a sense of nostalgia reminiscent of the rail manufacturer’s first very high-speed trains, which leveraged the use of large panoramic windscreens to express the essence of high-speed rail travel. To communicate this, designers created, or enhanced, a series of unique design elements such as implementing aerodynamic improvements to the nose to reinforce the train’s sensation of velocity and closely merging the front windscreen and lateral windows to reinforce an elegant, aerodynamic essence. Lengthening the longitudinal stretch of the headlights also helped further evoke feelings of acceleration and momentum.

Inside, equal attention was given to the passenger experience. All windows were enlarged to offer an even closer connection to the exterior landscape, while the choice of smooth shapes and plush material for interior fixtures seeks to create an embracing atmosphere of comfort that leaves passengers with a sensation of inclusivity and safety.

Perhaps equally important to receiving the design award was the close attention placed on meeting sustainability and efficiency goals. The Avelia Horizon addresses ambitious goals in terms of competitiveness of the rail sector and profitability: maintenance costs will be more than 30 per cent lower and thanks to its aerodynamic design and a more efficient traction drive, Avelia Horizon will consume 20 per cent less energy compared to the previous generation and achieve the lowest total cost of ownership per seat on the market for a train of its type.