How could Metro improve wayfinding?

Yesterday, I discussed some of the ways other transit agencies deal with wayfinding. Based on the comments, many of you feel that signage is fine at present. Others think it can improve.

Generally, the test of wayfinding is its ease for the absolute novice. While everyone is going to have to study a map or station list at some point, it needs to be easy to navigate a station once a person knows generally where they are going.

Signage needs to be clear, but concise. Overwhelming someone with information can make wayfinding more difficult.

Metro has already taken a stab at improving station signage. In 2004, they installed new signs at Gallery Place, Largo, Morgan Boulevard, and New York Avenue. They never expanded this to the rest of the system, but at the time that was estimated to cost $25 million.

These signs represent a step in the right direction. The vault signs indicate the name of the station in large font so that passengers on the train know their position. Below that, smaller text indicates the color of the line(s) serving that track, the final station on the line, and one additional major station along the way.

One drawback to these signs is that they only show the absolute final station. For instance, the signs on the Red Line platform toward Metro Center at Gallery Place only show Shady Grove. They don’t indicate that almost half of trains stop at Grosvenor.

On the lower level, northbound Yellow Line trains are listed as “To Fort Totten via Convention Center.” The problem with this arrangement is that the Yellow Line trains that do arrive on that platform either go to Fort Totten or Mount Vernon Square. How are non-regular riders supposed to know that “Convention Center” and “Mount Vernon Square” are the same station?

My solution

The approach I think Metro should take is very similar to the current approach, especially considering the new signs. However, it could adopt some of the better elements from other cities.

Trains should continue to be identified by line color and final station. However, directions to platforms should also identify the next major station(s). At the same time, at stations outside of the core (perhaps defined by the “box” bounded by Gallery Place, Metro Center, and L’Enfant Plaza) should have “to Downtown Washington” embellishing the mezzanine or top/bottom of escalator signs that direct people to the appropriate platform.

This method is much like MARTA’s approach. On MARTA signs, below “Southbound,” for instance, smaller text might say “To Lindbergh…Five Points…Airport.” MARTA also includes “To Downtown Atlanta” on signs for the appropriate platform.

The signage at the top and bottom of escalators should also be clear, listing the major or next stations. The terminal or, if more than one is present, both terminals should be clearly listed.

For instance, at Medical Center, the platform wall signs on the Glenmont side of the platform would say: “To Glenmont or Silver Spring via Bethesda….Metro Center.” On the Shady Grove side, signs would say “To Grosvenor or Shady Grove.”

Wayfinding and the map

To really improve wayfinding, however, the Metro map needs to be modified. Stations that are used prominently in wayfinding should be indicated on the map. Right now, none of the stations, even end of line stations, are differentiated with bold or colored text. Doing so would make those names jump out, and indicate what customers should look for in signage.

Stations typically used as terminal stations should be color-coded. Having Grosvenor in a red box, for instance, would indicate to customers that that name could be on the destination sign as well. And it would make it very easily understandable which terminal names will be on platform and mezzanine signage.