During our problem-solving task, we found that the main problem came from using old research about how much luggage people take when they travel by train. Because this information was out of date, too much space ended up being used for luggage, this meant we couldn’t fit in as many passengers as we should have. Fewer passengers means fewer tickets sold, which makes it harder for the trains to make enough money and run efficiently.
The real cause is that we didn’t keep our research up to date. Without fresh information, we made design choices based on guesses instead of facts, which led to the train layouts not matching what passengers actually need.
What could happen if we don’t fix it:
If we don’t sort this out, we could end up making the same mistake again. Designing trains without proper, up-to-date data could waste valuable space and cost us money. We might also need expensive redesigns later, and passengers could be unhappy if there’s not enough room for them or their bags.
How we’re going to stop it happening again:
To fix this and stop it from happening again:
• We’re going to do new research to find out exactly how much luggage people bring on board now.
The way we will acquire this information is through our social media platforms, we can offer discounts, offers or even a prize draw to those who answer. But What if the results are inconclusive...?
Low response rate:
Extend the survey, promote it in more places (social media, posters, emails), or offer small rewards.
Unclear or biased questions:
Check and rewrite confusing questions; test them on a small group first.
Small or unbalanced sample:
Redo the survey with a bigger, more varied group to cover all passenger types.
No clear trend in answers:
Add follow-up questions or run focus groups/interviews to dig deeper.
Survey too short or shallow:
Add extra questions to get more useful detail.
Ongoing plan for passenger–luggage ratio
Use up-to-date research in train designs to balance seats and luggage space.
Review luggage trends every 6 months using surveys, observations, or ticket feedback.
Adjust layouts if people start carrying more (or less).
Possible restrictions
Set clear size or weight limits for luggage (like airlines).
Offer paid options for extra or large bags.
Improve storage areas so luggage doesn’t take up seating space.
Summary:
If results aren’t clear, we’ll fix the research until we have solid data — then keep checking trends regularly and add clear rules if needed, so the same issue doesn’t come back.
• We’ll use the new information when we design the trains so we get the right balance between seats and luggage space.
• We’ll also keep checking how much luggage people bring in the future, so we can adjust the designs if things change.
By doing this, we’ll make sure our trains stay profitable, keep customers happy, and avoid wasting money on redesigns later.