Public Transport Maps in Western European Cities

Abstract

The author toured 25 cities in 11 countries of western Europe during 1995, in order to study their public transport maps and to meet the people responsible for them. He found distinct French, Scandinavian, and Dutch styles in addition to the classic style of public transport map. Rules are proposed to govern the choice of mapping method, based on the number of transport modes, number of transport services, amount of overlap, and the use of colour coding in the streets. Schematic maps, resembling the London Underground map, are preferable for underground railways, but are definitely not suitable for buses. Factors in the design which need particular attention include: amount of base map detail, map size and purpose, emphasising the name of the terminus, the problem of insets, panels at interchange points, and background colours. Types of maps, previously rarely used, which should now be economically feasible since the introduction of computer mapping, include: maps of subsets, stop-specific route maps, and 'octopus' bus maps of districts. For these proposals to be put into practice, GIS and graphics software, skills and data, found in different departments, will have to be brought together. A checklist is provided to ensure that the best results are obtained with the classic style.