ThyssenKrupp : New technology set to increase capacity and ease commuting stress at metro stations across the world

• exclusive panel debate to discuss the latest technology set to transform metro stations

• rope-less elevator system MULTI has the potential to redefine existing infrastructure

• MULTI enables new train lines underneath existing ones, increasing capacity even further

Thought-leaders from Transport for London (TfL), London First, Arup, WSP, thyssenkrupp and Weston Williamson gathered in London today in an exclusive panel debate to discuss the latest technology set to transform metro stations and bring them in line with 21st century demands.

With population growth and urbanization driving more people to cities than ever before, metro stations - which are the beating heart of city life, transporting people from home to work and other daily destinations - are facing unprecedented challenges to mobility and efficiency. In London alone the population is growing at a rate of 1.5% year-on-year, reaching almost 8.6 million in 2015. Implementing new technology at key city transport hubs is essential to get people from A to B as effectively as possible.

Today's panel debate comes at an important time, as pressures on the London Underground - the world's oldest underground transport network - continue to mount. Passenger numbers have risen 33% in the past decade and some 1.34 billion passengers use the underground every year. As people's lifestyles evolve and commuters seek to achieve a better work/life balance, transport hubs are also increasingly being developed into retail and dining locations; places people want to stay, rather than leave quickly. As seen so clearly in stations such as Waterloo and King's Cross, metro hubs are now centers of human interaction, where people can enjoy a comfortable environment for commuting and leisure activities alike.

However moving people around transport networks easily and effectively is not an easy task. Metro stations are complex infrastructures that connect several rail lines overlapped in a very restricted space. The capital's busiest tube station, London Waterloo, handles 95 million passengers every year and the deepest platform in the network is 58 meters below street level, at Hampstead. Commuting time and passenger comfort should be at the forefront of all considerations for re-designing these metro and railway stations to ensure they can accommodate the needs of the modern-day traveler.

Commenting on today's panel, Chris Williamson, co-founder and partner at architecture firm Weston Williamson + Partners said: 'The original submerging of train lines underground was absolutely revolutionary for its time, but as passenger demand continues to rise it is unsurprising that the sub-ground location of these lines make it incredibly difficult for developers to bring them up-to-date with modern capacity and access requirements. For most commuters it is equally as important to swiftly and comfortably access the deepest platform as it is to move quickly from station A to B. Rope-less elevator technology, like the MULTI system designed by thyssenkrupp Elevator, has the potential to redefine existing infrastructure, and open up unprecedented levels of access both in-between platforms, and from the platforms to the world above. This kind of innovation is key for future city design and could provide a game-changing solution to solve the mobility issues that so many underground networks now face. What's more - it could also allow further growth of stations below the ground, making it possible to build new train lines underneath the existing ones, to increase capacity even further.'

MULTI is one of the key solutions under discussion at today's panel debate; the world's first horizontal/vertical 'Willy Wonka' elevator that can literally open up new directions of travel in underground transport hubs. MULTI breaks the 160-year tradition of rope-driven elevators and has been designed to increase passenger shaft capacity by 50%. It does this by enabling multiple cabins to travel safely up one shaft and down another in a single continuous loop, much like a circular shuttle. The only visible difference to passengers is that the doors can open every 15 to 30 seconds.

Andreas Schierenbeck, CEO at technology leader thyssenkrupp Elevator added: 'MULTI was initially developed for tall buildings, to double elevator shaft capacity, reduce elevator footprint, and offer vertical and horizontal movement to enable architects to construct taller, more creative and more user friendly structures, but its concept makes it a prime solution to the challenges of metro stations as well. If applied it would undoubtedly change the face of London's transport network, and reinforce the UK's position at the head of global innovations. Yet it also offers a practical solution that could ease congestion in dozens of underground networks across the world too; a thought that makes you realize its potential to be one of the most revolutionary new developments of our time.'

Participants at today's panel debate are:

• Lauren Sager Weinstein, head of analytics and customer experience at TfL

• Baroness Jo Valentine, CEO at London First

• Richard De Cani, senior leader at Arup

• Rachel Skinner, smart cities experts and Director of Development at WSP

• Andreas Schierenbeck, CEO of thyssenkrupp Elevator

• Chris Williamson, Partner at Weston Williamson + Partners

MULTI is currently being installed to initiate testing stage at thyssenkrupp's purpose-built Test Tower. First working installation expected in 2017.

A video of the MULTI for Metros concept can be viewed here:www.thyssenkrupp-elevator.com/MULTI

About us:

thyssenkrupp Elevator

thyssenkrupp Elevator brings together the Group's global activities in passenger transportation systems. With sales of 7.2 billion euros in fiscal 2014/2015 and customers in 150 countries, thyssenkrupp Elevator built its position as one of the world's leading elevator companies from scratch in a mere 40 years' time applying thyssenkrupp unique engineering capabilities. With more than 50,000 highly skilled employees, the company offers smart and innovative products and services designed to meet customers' individual requirements. The portfolio includes passenger and freight elevators, escalators and moving walks, passenger boarding bridges, stair and platform lifts as well as tailored service solutions for all products. Over 900 locations around the world provide an extensive sales and service network to guarantee closeness to customers.

thyssenkrupp

thyssenkrupp is a diversified industrial group with traditional strengths in materials and a growing share of capital goods and services businesses. Around 155,000 employees in nearly 80 countries work with passion and technological expertise to develop high-quality products and intelligent industrial processes and services for sustainable progress. Their skills and commitment are the basis of our success. In fiscal year 2014/2015 thyssenkrupp generated sales of around €43 billion.

Together with our customers we develop competitive solutions for the challenges of the future in the areas Mechanical, Plant and Materials. With our engineering expertise we enable our customers to gain an edge in the global market and manufacture innovative products in a cost- and resource-friendly way. For us, technical progress and innovations, allied with the combined strength of the Group, are key factors enabling us to meet current and future customer and market requirements around the world, grow on the markets of the future, and generate strong and stable earnings, cash flows and value growth.

Twitter: @Michael23Ridder

People shaping cities blog: www.urban-hub.com

Company blog: www.engineered.thyssenkrupp.com