Commuter Coaster

Designed with Donovan Kirkland & Franklin Deblasio

The commuter coaster reinterprets the nature of infrastructure as an experience rather than a means to an end. Through the exercise of questioning pragmatism, we find that the physical, and financial systems in place ie. the bridge itself, and the MetroCard can be adapted to serve a new purpose: to celebrate one of New York City’s most famous icons as a pedestrian theme park.
Pedestrians and cyclists use the bridge in conflicting fashions. For cyclists, the bridge is an essential connection between Manhattan and Brooklyn bicycle infrastructure. For pedestrians, the bridge is a photo-op laden attraction between two of New York’s most famous neighborhoods.
For pedestrians, the bridge promenade becomes a thematic fairground where merchants, sight-seers, and thrill-seekers make use of the space and time between boroughs. The MetroCard becomes a provisional currency where amenities, games, and rides are all made available by the swipe.
For cyclists, the bridge promenade becomes a dedicated bicycle corridor that mitigates the interaction between pedestrian and cyclist traffic.
Each use is utilitarian in its own right and deserves to be preserved in its own space.
The proposal separates these two uses by delaminating pedestrian and bicycle traffic into two distinct layers. At the entrances to the promenades, pedestrians are lifted onto an elevated bridge above the existing approach, while cyclists retain full use of the existing promenade below. Once on the suspended portion of the bridge, the pedestrian path splits over the roadway in both Manhattan and Brooklyn Bound directions. This separation allows for enhanced use of both bicycles and expanded pedestrian space on the bridge.
The commuter coaster will inspire designers to look at our existing systems in a different light and to consider alternative uses for what is already in place. Infrastructure & transit can be whimsical, playful, and enjoyable which we believe can enhance the quality of life in any city.