Background

A transport system is a network of roads, rail, canals, and so forth that facilitates the movement of people and goods within a geographic area. Transport systems are built up to satisfy the needs of a population going about their business, they must take into account where people live, where they work, where they need to travel to, where farms, factories, and supermarkets are located, and how to connect these together in the most efficient and effective way. There are also specific transport systems or sub-systems, such as railways, or roads, or cycle paths, and so forth. Much effort is given to planning how these various systems should work together. Each means of transport, such as railways, or road vehicles, and cycle paths, and so forth, can be thought of as a system in itself or as a sub-system of the whole. Much effort is given to planning how these various systems should work together.
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The design brief

Design an integrated bicycle transport system for your neighbourhood or district. The idea is to encourage cycling by making it safe, convenient, and even fun! Your bicycle transport system should integrate different parts, such as: cycle lanes, cycle parking, traffic signals, safety devices, and computer systems; for the benefit of cyclists. Your task is to determine how the system will function, what parts it comprises, and which parts need to be designed to make the system succeed. Build a small-scale model of your bicycle transport system design concept. Alternatively, you may build a computer-aided design (CAD) model of your design concept, if you prefer. Work on this project in a small team with a group of your classmates.
 

The design thinking process

​​​​​​​Follow the six stages of the design thinking process to ensure that you are thorough and do everything necessary to succeed in your design project. First, you endeavour to understand the design topic and EMPATHISE with the needs of the users. With that understanding, you can DEFINE what is essential to the product or system that you are designing. Then you IDEATE, that is, you creatively come up with ideas and develop them. The next step is to PROTOTYPE your chosen design solution in a physical form and improve it through trial-and-error. Then you TEST your design idea to elicit the opinions of users. And finally, at the end of the process, you REFLECT upon your project to benefit from the experience. Use the appropriate methods from the Design Thinking for Schools website as you proceed along the design thinking process.
 

Note for teachers

Read the guide for teachers on Safety for the PROTOTYPE Stage for Level IV to safely supervise this design project.