Consulting

Passenger vehicle optimisation, grounded in evidence.

Evidence-based consulting backed by 25+ years of empirical passenger-behaviour research. Not gut feeling. Not industry averages. Your vehicle. Your routes. Real data.

Talk to our expertsSee what we do
+20%
More effective capacityversus seat-maximised layouts
−70%
Shorter dwell timesat station stops
50%
Consulting discountwith a full software licence
Consulting brochurePDF overview of our services
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Why it matters

Why vehicle layout matters

Luggage storage

Before

Racks stay empty while aisles fill up

  • Racks are sized for neither the size nor type of real luggage
  • Passengers avoid racks they cannot reach, lift into or see from their seat
  • Bags end up in aisles, at seats and in doorways instead
After

100% stowable luggage

  • 100% of luggage can be stowed
  • No safety risk from incorrectly placed luggage
  • Shorter dwell time
  • No restrictions for on-board staff
  • Higher passenger comfort

Dwell time

Before

Every bad layout decision extends the dwell time

  • Poor overall layout
  • Too much focus on maximum seat count
  • Insufficient luggage storage
  • Poorly positioned doors
  • Restricted passenger flow
After

Up to 70% shorter dwell time

  • Up to 70% reduction in dwell time
  • Higher punctuality
  • Faster boarding and deboarding
  • Lower energy demand to keep the timetable
  • Better operational reliability

Capacity and seat usability

Before

Installed seats are not the same as usable seats

  • Seats blocked by luggage
  • Capacity reduced by poor storage concepts
  • Passenger comfort drops
  • Effective occupancy is lower than planned
  • Standing and movement areas become less usable
After

100% usable seats, up to 20% more capacity

  • 100% of seats remain available
  • Capacity can increase by up to 20%
  • Higher achievable occupancy
  • Better passenger comfort
  • More realistic planning for real operations

Operations, energy and cost

Before

Small layout problems become expensive

  • Delays and lower punctuality
  • Higher energy demand to recover time
  • Lower average speeds
  • Longer turnaround times
  • More vehicles and staff may be required
After

Lower cost, lower energy, better service

  • Up to 20% energy savings at the same timetable
  • Fewer vehicle rotations needed for the same service
  • Lower vehicle and personnel costs
  • Significant cost and energy savings
  • Higher customer satisfaction

But software alone is not always enough. In many projects, an experienced eye is needed to analyse the results, identify opportunities for optimisation and provide specific recommendations for implementation. Our consultancy team combines 25+ years' experience in passenger research with the TrainOptimizer®-Service and supports you every step of the way — from the initial layout sketch right through to the vehicle being fit for service.

Who can benefit

Anyone who specifies, procures,
or designs a passenger vehicle.

Railway & public-transport operators

Optimise fleet layouts, reduce dwell times, increase revenue capacity.

Vehicle manufacturers

Validate designs before production with evidence buyers can cite.

Design & engineering firms

Add independent empirical backing to your interior proposals.

Procurement bodies

Get an independent expert opinion for tender evaluation.

Research institutions

Collaborate with Europe's leading railway passenger-behaviour team.

What we do

Three ways we move the needle.

Vehicle interior optimisation

Interior concepts for local and long-distance vehicles, tuned for real passenger behaviour on your routes.

Scope

Interior concepts for local and long-distance traffic

Luggage storage in trains (arrangement, dimensioning)

Passenger flows and boarding/alighting times

Accessibility

Deliverables
Interior concept document
Dwell time simulation report
Luggage stowage analysis
Effective capacity comparison

Ideal for: operators · OEMs · design studios

Mobility chain consulting

The whole journey, not just the vehicle — from first mile to last, luggage to platform flows.

Scope

First and last mile concepts

Luggage handling along the entire mobility chain

Luggage logistics systems and services

Customer requirements at stations

Deliverables
First & last-mile flow diagrams
Luggage logistics system review
Station interface assessment
Customer journey mapping

Ideal for: operators · transport authorities · stations

Expert opinions

Independent, evidence-based assessments that meet the evidentiary standard for tender and procurement processes.

Scope

Proof of passenger exchange time for tenders

Luggage accommodation documentation for procurement

Independent, evidence-based second opinions

Deliverables
Tender compliance analysis
Independent evidence report
Signed expert opinion document
Procurement-ready output

Ideal for: procurement teams · manufacturers · operators

The research base

Advice grounded in evidence, not opinion.

In partnership with TU Wien's Research Centre for Railway Engineering, we built Europe's most comprehensive dataset on how passengers actually move, sit, and store luggage — in real vehicles, on real routes.

25+Years of research
400k+Passengers observed
300+Vehicles analysed
60k+Supplementary surveys
In partnership withTU Wien — Research Centre for Railway EngineeringIT-eXperience Informationstechnologie GmbH
Learn more about our background
How we work

A clear path from question to evidence.

01

Understand

Your vehicle, routes and goals — and where capacity is hiding.

OutputProject brief
02

Model

Simulate real passenger behaviour against your layout variants.

OutputSimulation runs
03

Optimise

Find the layout that maximises effective capacity and flow.

OutputRanked variants
04

Evidence

A clear expert opinion you can take to procurement.

OutputSigned report
Software + consulting

Already a software customer?
Your consulting is 50% off.

TrainOptimizer® licence holders get direct access to our expert team for layout reviews, tender support and expert opinions — at half the standard rate.

Ask about the bundle
50%
discount on all consulting for TrainOptimizer® licence holders
Download Consulting brochure

Ready to optimise your vehicles?

Send us your layout proposals and talk to our experts about the consulting path that fits your project.

Talk to our experts