store&go

In  stations as well as other high-frequency hot spots (bus terminals, airports or shopping zones), simple and automated depositing of luggage with barrier-free access is intended to significantly increase travel comfort and­ stimulate the­ consumption of multifunctional business offers (e.g. shopping & restaurant visits,…). The project designed and evaluated an innovative luggage storage system.

Client: bmvit, ways2go, 2nd call for tenders

Duration: March 2010 to August 2011 (18 months)

Project partners: FH OÖ Forschungs & Entwicklungs GmbH; FH St.Pölten Forschungs GesmbH

Project description: New-generation railway stations are increasingly becoming multifunctional business centres that serve not only travel but also local supply, business communication and shopping. In this context, the laborious handling of luggage is a considerable stress factor and a loss of comfort for all users of railway stations. A simple depositing of especially heavy luggage in existing locker systems is often only possible with considerable (and for older and weaker travellers unreasonable) efforts. In addition, there is often a lack of space in the station infrastructure, and existing room heights cannot be used as storage space. The “Store&Go” project was therefore intended to investigate a system vision both technically and economically and to examine its feasibility for use not only in the planning of new stations but also in existing buildings. The development and use of innovative handling technologies and deposit services is intended to­ counteract any existing obstacles to the use and acceptance­ of all groups of people.

The vision of the “Store&Go” system is that travellers (or even other passers-by who are not travelling)­ can check in their luggage­ quickly, easily and at ground level into automated depots in the immediate vicinity of high-frequency areas of the station such as the main entrance, exits from subway stations, arrivals by taxi etc. In this­ way, relieved of the hardships of dealing with luggage, the time and desire remain to use­ the offers of station amenities (business world, travel agencies,­ communication facilities, gastronomy or the facilities of the local supply,…). Before the train departs or before leaving the station, customers can then retrieve their luggage from equally easy-to-use drop-off stations. Compared to traditional locker systems, the station operator has the option of volume-optimised storage while making full use of the room heights. The system should be so modular that its size, storage capacity and throughput can be implemented in installations of various sizes.

Contact: DI Dr. Bernhard Rüger