The Japanese designer moving NYCーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS

Key Concepts

• MetroCard: A prepaid fare card used in the New York City subway system, being phased out.
• Contactless Tap-and-Go System: The new fare payment system replacing the MetroCard.
• MetroCard Vending Machines: Machines designed by Udaga Masamichi for purchasing and refilling MetroCards.
• Porcelain Enamel: A durable, scratch-resistant material used in the design of the vending machines.
• Subway Car Design: Udaga Masamichi's contributions to the interior design of New York City subway cars, focusing on safety, cleanliness, and passenger experience.
• Subway Surfing: A dangerous trend of riding on top of subway cars, which designers are working to discourage.

Farewell to the MetroCard and its Designer

The New York City subway system is preparing to retire the iconic MetroCard, a prepaid fare card that has served commuters for over 30 years. Sales of the card will end by the close of the year, with a gradual transition to a contactless tap-and-go system. The MetroCard, a magnetic stripe card, has seen 3.2 billion cards encoded by the Metropolitan Transit Authority. While still usable until 2026, its phase-out marks a significant change for many New Yorkers, evoking nostalgia for a familiar "traveling companion." The card's design has even become a symbol of New York City, with merchandise featuring its likeness readily available.

The Design of the MetroCard Vending Machine

A key figure behind the MetroCard experience is Udaga Masamichi, a Japanese designer from New York, who was instrumental in designing the MetroCard vending machines. Introduced in 1999 to reduce queues at fare windows, these machines were designed with user-friendliness in mind, especially for a population less familiar with computers at the time. Udagawa's approach involved a step-by-step conversational interface, akin to shopping in a store, and the use of color-coding to guide users on where to insert cash or cards.

A significant design challenge was ensuring the durability of the machines' exterior, particularly the color elements, given the "abuse of rough New Yorkers." Traditional paint was prone to scratching. To address this, Udagawa drew inspiration from history, opting for porcelain enamel, a highly scratch-resistant material.

Udagawa expressed a "little bit sad" sentiment about the retirement of the machines but also pride in their longevity. He noted that "such electronic machine to survive without change from the beginning to the end for 26 years. That's a quite achievement and I'm fairly happy about it."

Udaga Masamichi's Broader Impact on Subway Car Design

Udaga Masamichi's influence extends beyond the vending machines to the very subway cars themselves. His first train design was introduced in 2000, coinciding with a city initiative to enhance subway cleanliness and safety. Responding to reports from the New York Police Department about incidents where passengers near doors were vulnerable to theft or attack, Udagawa incorporated "reasonable protective screen[s]" in the form of special guardrails on seats adjacent to doors.

His designs also focused on creating brighter interiors and utilizing plastic seats instead of textile ones. This choice made the seats "vandalism resistant and easy to clean," contributing to a more hygienic environment. The newest subway cars, which began operating in 2023, also bear his design imprint. These newer trains feature green lights to indicate which doors will open at the next station. It is estimated that "more than 70% of the subway cars operating in New York City were designed by Udagawa."

Addressing the Challenge of Subway Surfing

Looking ahead, Udaga Masamichi and his team are working on future subway car designs and tackling new challenges. One pressing issue is "how to discourage subway surfing," a dangerous phenomenon where individuals ride on top of train cars. This trend, amplified by social media, has tragically resulted in the deaths of at least five teenagers this year alone. Udagawa acknowledged the difficulty of this problem, stating, "Unfortunately, subway surfing became kind of popular. Um, so we have to still do something. We to prevent that and we're still thinking about the solution."

Conclusion

While the MetroCard marks the end of an era for New York City transit, Udaga Masamichi's extensive design contributions continue to shape the subway system. His work on vending machines, subway car interiors, and ongoing efforts to enhance safety and address emerging issues like subway surfing demonstrate his lasting impact on the city's vital transportation network, ensuring it moves forward.