Bus shelter prototypes in the Sonoran desert

الملخص EN

This article presents an initiative to examine bus shelter design in a decentralized urban environment located in the Sonoran Desert in the American Southwest.

The region is subject to seasonally high temperatures and intense sunlight; extreme environmental conditions that inhibit broad utilization of the pre-existing bus shelter network by the markedly transit dependent ridership.

The project was delivered by a team of students, faculty and staff in the School of Architecture at the University of Arizona.

The project addresses sustainability in two realms: sustainable pedagogies and sustainable design.

The university team began the project with an in-depth analysis of the existing bus system.

Research methods included first person experience and interviewing and surveying of bus riders.

The team also performed a ،}uantitative and ،}ualitative architectural analysis of common local bus shelter types, assessing: accessibility and circulation, dimension and occupancy, solar performance, water management, materials and methods of fabrication, rider-driver visibility, and accessories.

A ^rformance-based program was developed, utilizing passive solar strategies to minimize critical solar exposure to the occupants while maximizing rider-driver visibihty.

The project resulted in the construction of four bus shelter prototypes based upon a modular system design adapted to each of the four cardinal orientations.

Keywords: Sustainabihty, Pedagogy, Sustainable design, Design research.

Design build, Pubiic transportation.

Transit infrastructure, Bus shelter, Sonoran Desert-