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WMATA commissioned Project for Public Spaces to do a plan-report on wayfinding. Somewhere I have a copy that a WMATA official sent me in 2005/2006. But yes, there is lots of room for improvement.

Evan -- it happens that I don't like the sign you are referencing, it needs a real update, but you're right that it helps:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rllayman/2225735219/

Matt -- with regard to wayfinding generally, I have argued for a few years that the city needs to have a wayfinding conference, to better assess and coordinate where we are.

Transit wayfinding is key, not just for getting around, as you discuss, but how to use it, and how to choose between "competing" services. This is especially an issue at Union Station, where visitors are confronted with a myriad of confusing choices between for profit (Old Town Trolleys, Tourmobile, Ducks, etc.) and public transit choices.

Plus how many people take the Amtrak to BWI when they could take MARC, etc.

http://urbanplacesandspaces.blogspot.com/2009/05/florida-market-proof-of-concept.html

And you can see that I forgot to mention my concern about transit wayfinding-interpretation, but it is discussed here:

http://urbanplacesandspaces.blogspot.com/2009/10/public-meeting-on-dc-union-station.html

by Richard Layman on May 12, 2010 8:35 am • link • report