Los Angeles Rail Maps

Great photo showing how the LA Metro maps are part of a larger, unified, wayfinding system. Consistency of typography and brand are key — note how the titles of each map are in the same location and typeface every time, as is the Metro logo: colour is the main differentiator of information.

(Source: yreese/Flickr)

Barcelona Wayfinding

Not only is this an awesome picture, but it really shows off how the Barcelona Metro map is part of a greater, unified, wayfinding scheme. Here, on one panel, we’ve got a nice big map, information about the Metro, a complete cross-referenced list of stations, and a local area map showing the transportation options around the current station. Wonderful stuff.

(Source: albertmiralles/Flickr)

Osaka Subway Map, Area Map and Wayfinding System

Nice big maps, and clear (but maybe a little dull) directional signage. A full review of that system map looks to be in order in the near future… 

(Source: Ian YVR/Flickr)

Porto Metro Signage

Looks quite lovely in location… although perhaps a little small to be seen from far away.

(Source: varlamov/Flickr)

Turn on the Bright Lights…

Still in Tokyo, but can I just say how much I adore this wayfinding system? Bright and attractive floor-to-ceiling illuminated signs with simple, easy-to-understand iconography and impossible to miss directional arrows (note how they’re located above head height, so they’re always visible, even in a crowd). And there’s a nice big locality map, too! Stuff like this makes a transit system fun and pleasant to use, but its worth often seems to be underestimated.

(Source: librarymook/Flickr)

The Colors of Public Transit

Love, love, love this photo of wayfinding signage in Chicago. Anyone know which station this is? I’m guessing one of the Wabash stations on the Loop, but don’t know enough about them to narrow it down further.

Edit: Knowledgeable readers have identified this sign as being at Clark/Lake station - thanks!

(Source: k.james/Flickr)

U2 - U5 - U8

Lovely set of wayfinding strip maps from Berlin. The current station, Alexanderplatz, is subtly highlighted with a grey box behind its name. I really like the way that station names are all to the right of each line, with connections shown to the left - an excellent and consistent division of information to make wayfinding easier.

(Source: manganite/Flickr)

Direzione: Anagnina

If the name of your station is in light grey, the trains from this platform are not going there. Simple but effective wayfinding signage from Rome’s Metro.

(Source: Matt Taylor Hobbs/Flickr)

New MTA Wayfinding Signage

Nice supplementary wayfinding signage at New York’s Union Square Station. YOU ARE HERE.

(Source: Nick Sherman/Flickr)