As the demand international rail services grow, is it time to rethink the way we design rail stations?

The demand for international rail services is growing globally and with recent developments in international cooperation on high-speed railways, cross-border journeys will become more common.

International rail travel introduces complexities akin to those found in air travel. This therefore requires a new typology of International High-Speed Railway (iHSR) station design that benefits from research and development alongside valuable insight from the aviation industry.

The requirements for border and customs controls as well as passenger and luggage security screening means that the iHSR station experience will feel increasingly like that of an international airport. 

With long standing experience of designing and delivering major airports, including Istanbul Airport which serves over 76 million passengers per year, and a diverse portfolio of railway and metro stations around the world, we can demonstrate how such stations would operate. Using industry recognised projection algorithms, we can determine the level of service and spatial provision for the check-in experience including border, customs and security controls.

Accordingly, cross-border iHSR stations will require passenger ‘pooling spaces’ – spaces to allow for those who have been through security screening processes to wait in readiness to board their trains. This pooling space offers an opportunity for operators to both manage cleared passengers but also generate additional revenue through provision of Food & Beverages (F&B) facilities.

By drawing upon insights from the aviation sector and adopting new and innovative design strategies, we can ensure that new International High-Speed Rail Stations can handle international passenger flow with the same level of efficiency and security as found in airports. Creating with it, opportunities to transform passenger experience by facilitating smoother, more accessible and secure international rail travel.

Contact us to find out more about how our expertise in Rail and Aviation can combine to enhance international rail facilities.