ABSTRACT

This article presents perspectives in transport facilities and the design of railway stations influenced by the intermodal concept. The intermodal concept supports the integration of related transportation modes. This concept has been around for some time and has gradually been applied to existing transportation terminals. It is a movement to effectively connect railways with other transportation modes as an interchange. The tendency has recently become evident in several railway stations, affecting their architecture and interior design. Accordingly, the new forms of railway stations were designed to change the conventional image of the stations. The architecture of the stations has gone beyond the design of main functions, which include core, transition, peripheral, and administrative. Depending on the needs of the station, the design of these spaces has to also include supplementary functions; for instance, integration of light and structure, access for disabled people, and commercial development. It is possible to also see them as an expression of modern technology reflected in their daring structure and use of new materials. The role of stations and communities is another issue discussed in this paper. Its development gives a significant guideline for the design of intermodal stations. Noticeably, good relationships between stations and their communities encourage commercial approaches and economic growth. These will bring together transportation facilities, commercial development, and local activities that allow the congregation of all classes of people.