York Transit Posted August 10, 2012 Share #1 Posted August 10, 2012 I went to NYC for the first time recently as a tourist and I couldn't help but notice how confusing MTA's subway line map brochures on their website are. It took me a while to understand why some stations were only served at night, and why some stations were served "sometimes, other times skipped", especially since it wasn't labelled when or why. (ESPECIALLY THE J/Z...my god that line is confusing for newbs) So, being a photoshop nerd, I made it a challenge to make an easy-to-understand and legible map for every line that details: -Where a train operates Local/Express -What service is like at differing times of the day Below is a comparison of the MTA's vague brochure details and my photoshopped route maps. CLICK TO ENLARGE --------------------------------------------------- 1 TRAIN MAP --------------------------------------------------- 2 TRAIN MAP --------------------------------------------------- 3 TRAIN MAP --------------------------------------------------- 4 TRAIN MAP --------------------------------------------------- 5 TRAIN MAP --------------------------------------------------- 6 TRAIN MAP --------------------------------------------------- 7 TRAIN MAP --------------------------------------------------- A TRAIN MAP --------------------------------------------------- C TRAIN MAP --------------------------------------------------- E TRAIN MAP --------------------------------------------------- B TRAIN MAP --------------------------------------------------- D TRAIN MAP --------------------------------------------------- F TRAIN MAP --------------------------------------------------- M TRAIN MAP --------------------------------------------------- J/Z TRAIN MAP --------------------------------------------------- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
User Posted August 10, 2012 Share #2 Posted August 10, 2012 Very, very clever! I like this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quill Depot Posted August 10, 2012 Share #3 Posted August 10, 2012 Good job Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
York Transit Posted August 10, 2012 Author Share #4 Posted August 10, 2012 Could also be displayed aboard trains. This is also one thing I noticed. Those electronic displays are nice but this is definitely more clear when it comes to route planning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brighton Express Posted August 10, 2012 Share #5 Posted August 10, 2012 I like the idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark1447 Posted August 10, 2012 Share #6 Posted August 10, 2012 Love it. I wish these were around. However, due to swapping with most lines, I don't think it will work for most of them, such as the , train, etc. I think it would be best if these were digitally displayed on a screen. Just like the R160+ which have a mini screen where the FIND is at. Works best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSubwayStation Posted August 10, 2012 Share #7 Posted August 10, 2012 This is cool! It's worth mentioning, though, that the NYC Subway Service Guide provides similar information in a pretty clear way: http://www.mta.info/maps/service_guide_web_Jun10.pdf I wish it was still part of the subway map... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8thAveExpress Posted August 10, 2012 Share #8 Posted August 10, 2012 Bay Parkway on the is now wheelchair accessible now, so you might wanna add that. Amazing job otherwise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamen Rider Posted August 10, 2012 Share #9 Posted August 10, 2012 the one problem with putting the maps into the trains is that most of the time, a train is not assigned to a line, they're assinged to shops and yards and tend to be spread between lines based at those yards. The E, F and R use Jamaica Yard, which means an E train today could have been an R yesterday and might be an F tomorrow. Basicly, only on lines such as the who have sole use of thier fleets like the 7, and the L, which has a dedicated CBTC fleet of R143s (with some pooled CBTC R160s that ares harded with the J,M and Z), is that really feesable. This is why the MTA's gone in favor of the FIND system. a train can be switched between lines at the end of a run, based upon the needs of the network. A train arriving in astoria as an N can be sent out as a Q. A 2 pulling into Flatbush might be needed on the 5. the FIND maps can be changed on the fly. I know the R142/As don't have finds, but there is common switching between which side of Manhattan they use at the end of the line. In those cases, the strip maps turn off. For example, a southbound F made up of R160s is waiting to enter the 63rd st connector when word comes over the radio it has to use the 53rd st tube. The crew just needs to punch a few buttons and the FINDs can switch from showing 21-Queensbridge, Roosevelt Island, Lexington-63rd and 57th to Queens Plaza, 23-Court Sqaure, Lexington-53rd and 5th-53rd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric B Posted August 10, 2012 Share #10 Posted August 10, 2012 Here's my system of representing times of operation all on the main map (it would be individual line drawings like the Vignelli/Weekender map, — so just as it appears here, only incorporated into the map; but I would like to see the regular map adapted for it, or go with the Kick design (Which already uses slightly different shades for the different lines, which was an older idea of mine I sent in). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark1447 Posted August 10, 2012 Share #11 Posted August 10, 2012 Your version surely reminds of the 80s/90s line maps behind the Subway Map. Man do I miss those on the Maps!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric B Posted August 11, 2012 Share #12 Posted August 11, 2012 This would be the front and back wrapped up in one! You wouldn't need line maps with this! (and that times of operation table would only be a convenience) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkpintar Posted August 11, 2012 Share #13 Posted August 11, 2012 excellent work! I have been working on some line maps, base on those on "the back" of those maps from the 80s/90s. It's therapeutic. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VWM Posted August 11, 2012 Share #14 Posted August 11, 2012 I would pay to see these in our ssyem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Lance Posted August 11, 2012 Share #15 Posted August 11, 2012 You know what this reminds me of? Those metallic-like route strips that were being tested on the 4, 5 and R lines. Whatever became of that test pilot? I haven't heard anything about it in a while. @York Transit: What you whipped up is quite nice. While I can't see them being put on the trains (for reasons mentioned up-thread), the line overviews could be useful at individual stations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caelestor Posted August 13, 2012 Share #16 Posted August 13, 2012 These strip maps are phenomenal. My only suggestion is that the subway service legend be put above the routes, as then people could view it first and then not be immediately be confused by lines with huge numbers of different rush hour patterns (e.g. the A). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T to Dyre Avenue Posted August 15, 2012 Share #17 Posted August 15, 2012 It would be great to have those strip maps in the stations, but it would problematic to have them on the trains unless it's the or , which are self-contained routes whose trains can't be rerouted over other lines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Threxx Posted August 15, 2012 Share #18 Posted August 15, 2012 @York: It's a novel idea, but unlike in other systems, cars could end up on any line that's based out of that yard. Those could be posted in stations, but not in trains. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quill Depot Posted August 15, 2012 Share #19 Posted August 15, 2012 I'd like to see those on the along with the strip maps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Concourse Posted August 15, 2012 Share #20 Posted August 15, 2012 york transit: wonderful job on those maps! Love it. I wish these were around. However, due to swapping with most lines, I don't think it will work for most of them, such as the , train, etc. I think it would be best if these were digitally displayed on a screen. Just like the R160+ which have a mini screen where the FIND is at. Works best. If these maps are like the one in that pic with the line, I could see each car having both maps (one on each end). The MTA would just have to sacrifice 2 spots that would've gone for ads. For trains (R68As) that could be used on up to 4 lines, I guess they'd have to use 4 spots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RookiePhenom Posted August 15, 2012 Share #21 Posted August 15, 2012 Clear to understand. My first time in NYC, I've had a problem reading the map (and that misunderstanding was because I didn't read close enough). Pretty awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
York Transit Posted August 16, 2012 Author Share #22 Posted August 16, 2012 Thanks for all the responses. Glad to see you guys enjoyed it! Now if only someone from the MTA would take a look at it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N4 Via Merrick Rd Posted August 16, 2012 Share #23 Posted August 16, 2012 THIS IS GREAT!! GOOD JOB but now to improve LIRR schedules they are very boring. Love it. I wish these were around. However, due to swapping with most lines, I don't think it will work for most of them, such as the , train, etc. I think it would be best if these were digitally displayed on a screen. Just like the R160+ which have a mini screen where the FIND is at. Works best. Well they need to make the whole FIND one LCD screen and it'll work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alargule Posted August 17, 2012 Share #24 Posted August 17, 2012 Could also be displayed aboard trains. This is also one thing I noticed. Those electronic displays are nice but this is definitely more clear when it comes to route planning. I really like your idea, however, the in-station example you showed here shows a clear disadvantage of such detailed information display: it requires a lot of space. This might work out for stations with only 1 or 2 lines, but it could become messy with more than 2 lines (e.g. most Manhattan trunk lines, the Queens Boulevard line or the CPW line). There might also be a problem with implementing such maps in subway cars, for reasons others already mentioned. But I think it'd be perfect as a foldout along with the map folders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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