10144246Innovative Rail Station Workspaces: Accessible, Safe, and Sustainably Powered Solutions for Underutilised Parking SpacesClosedSmall Business Research InitiativeInnovate UKWorkfromHub is a UK-based workspace technology SME led by Neal Byers (project lead), Eleni Gerolymbou (project manager). Since the COVID-19 pandemic, flexible working in shared environments has increased, yet there is a lack of private spaces for confidential work. Additionally, most on-demand workspaces are not suitable for those with disabilities. WorkfromHub is developing a unique solution using smart technology to create private, safe, and accessible workspaces. Railway stations miss revenue opportunities due to underused spaces, especially car parks. With sustainability at the forefront, reducing car parking helps meet net-zero goals. WorkfromHub can repurpose these spaces by providing accessible workspaces that align with market demand for remote working, attracting new users. Through three PoC trials, we have understood there is an unclear, and almost non-existent framework for workspace providers to adhere to when installing onto rail stations. Particularly there is a lack of research evidence that identifies appropriate, sustainable and cost effective connectivity source outlets from outdoors (in this case specifically from car parking spaces). Without identifying these aspects, allowing an accessible workspace service onto a rail station to provide new income will not be possible. Furthermore, we want to extend our research to understand how our the framework identified, can be used as a benchmark when taking into account international regulations and standards. This project will aim to gain an understanding of the requirements, creating a consistent and robust framework that ensures hosts, providers and users are protected legally and offer a workspace solution that benefits all. To ensure the outcome, we be carrying out research on current British standards, Disability Discrimination Acts and building on our current feedback and design from what we have learnt from past trials. To tackle the power source solution, we will be working with an electrical engineer from Arup, with expertise in the rail industry and gain professional legal advice to oversee the final framework. Site visits to several train stations will be carried out to identify the options to provide power. If this research is undertaken, the industry will have a design framework that will apply both nationally and internationally to place an accessible workspace into car parking spaces, or any powered service from an outdoor space. This will be crucial for phase 2 to then present this framework to international rail stations providers and seek their approval for a service of this nature to be trialled, including on the GCRE test site.