The Opal card reader in Sydney has won the Transport category of the Sydney Design Awards
November 19, 2013
Sydney’s Opal card reader has won its third design award and is now on display at the Powerhouse Museum.
The design recently won the Transport category of the Sydney Design Awards, which follows on from the winning of an Australian International Design Award and the Powerhouse Museum Design Award in June this year.
The smart looking stainless steel pole, part of the suite of equipment being installed so customers can tap on and tap off as they travel, has already been deployed at un-gated Sydney Ferries’ wharves and is being deployed across un-gated train stations.
“During the design stage we ensured the Opal card reader was customer-friendly and suited to local conditions,” says a Transport for NSW Spokesperson.
“The requirements of customers such as the disabled were thoroughly explored with widespread engagement of representative groups.
“The end result is a contemporary and robust design that is easy for customers to use. The final product can withstand harsh environmental conditions including salt water spray from Sydney Harbour.”
The Powerhouse Award is given to a product which demonstrates innovation in design, technology or materials that are of real benefit to users.
Australian International Design Awards are highly regarded by business, academia and government for the important role they play in setting a benchmark for good design.
The Opal card reader and design model will be on display in the Australian International Design Awards exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum until June next year.