New aircraft seating layout - Could this also be applied to rail vehicles?

[Pigeon]

i thought it was a well known fact that if airline seat faced backwards there would have been less deaths in air disasters. I wonder if this is that same with trains.

I believe it is, which is why end vehicles on higher speed stock mainly contain backward-facing seats.

Indeed it is, and there have been computer simulations done to quantify it. Turns out that even at as low a speed as 5mph things start to get interesting.

 

[stut]

That last one looks like someone's having a good time...

 

[Deepgreen]

That last one looks like someone's having a good time...

Then they abolished compartments!

 

[MarkyT]

Interesting article about safety of rear facing seats on aircraft here: http://www.airspacemag.com/need-to-know/are-aft-facing-airplane-seats-safer-146695292/

The article is illustrated with an earlier alternating direction seat arrangement by Premium Aircraft Interiors Group. It looks like that company may have been sold to Zodiac in 2012: http://setonhousegroup.com/

 

[fowler9]

I agree that I don't like the idea, but the "nutters" are one of the biggest aircraft seat manufacturers!

Very true.

 

[BananaRepublic]

As far as high density train seating goes, I'm surprise that a variation on those "standing seats" that were touted for Ryanair use, haven't been proposed for commuter trains.

 

[AM9]

As far as high density train seating goes, I'm surprise that a variation on those "standing seats" that were touted for Ryanair use, haven't been proposed for commuter trains.

Well we've had the 'bum rests' on 95/6 tube stock for decades now. They perform similarly, but are longtitudonal.

 

[Bletchleyite]

As far as high density train seating goes, I'm surprise that a variation on those "standing seats" that were touted for Ryanair use, haven't been proposed for commuter trains.

Completely pointless, as standing passengers take up less space. They were a means of making standing passengers vaguely safe on an aircraft.

Most commuter trains are moving to the idea of reasonably-spaced 2+2 or longitudinal seating with wide, large standing areas.

 

[IslandDweller]

British Airways business class (on their wide-body long-haul fleet) is already fitted in a "ying yang" arrangement, with alternate seats facing forwards/rear wards. Take off feels a little odd in the rear facing seats but other than that it's fine.
Of course, they're a heck of a lot bigger than this proposal.

 

[Andrew L]

A French company, Zodiac Aerospace, has developed a new seating concept: High density with business class width, folding seats arranged in alternating directions across rows, so passengers in adjacent seats would be facing each other. For small groups it allows people to interact and converse, parents to supervise children better, etc

http://www.zodiacaerospace.com/en/n...ct-exploratory-concept-developed-zodiac-seats

I wonder if the concept could also be appropriate for UK suburban rail operations, particularly as a better solution for our oft-maligned 2+3 high-density commuter layouts.

The sprung fold up seats are a very good idea which should help to speed up boarding operations. Fellow aisle passengers already have to stand up to let you into a window or middle seat now with conventional layouts, so this really isn't too much of an inconvenience. Lack of trays on an aircraft isn't a big problem today as budget operators on short-haul don't provide full meals as a rule. Most importantly a cup holder IS included, an item often lacking today on some modern commuter trains. That is something I find annoying and is actually dangerous as it can lead to hot liquid spills as people try to balance cups on laps or reach down in the confined space to place or retrieve them from the floor. In my view well done Zodiac for an excellent concept.

A video: https://youtu.be/RCGVpTzF2xI

I am unsure about what I think of the layout, sitting that close and facing someone for any length journey would be uncomfortable. Although, to optimise space on a train, this would work. Lack of arm rests would annoy me.