Waynding for pedestrians in urban areas

Making places more walkable, legible and liveable

Bruce Herbes! Visualvoice ! Bruce Herbes Waynding Consultant www.visualvoice.com.au

Waynding for pedestrians in urban areas

Todays presentation map What is pedestrian waynding? Best practice legible cities around the world The 3 stage process of developing a system 1. Strategy the What and Where issues 2. Design developing the information system 3.Implementation manufacture & installation Other issues Walkability

The role of pedestrian waynding

To explain the environment and enable seamless walking provide clear, accurate, quality information To provide the right information at the right time To allow people to easily build a mental map of an area making the environment legible and navigable To improve the visitor experience and enjoyment. Information benets business, transport, tourism & the people of the city To articulate the opportunities a place can provide

The benets of walking

Signicant economic benets, more footfall leads to longer stays, increased spending and reduced parking churn Improved health, physical tness, enjoyment and recreation Reduced climate change and environmental & fuel costs Improved equity for young, old, poor, carers, prams, wheelchairs Better walkability is good for cyclists & public transport users

Current practice
Over the past 50 years most waynding has been for trafc. Most maps of cities focus on drivers, not walkers

Roads !

Driver advice! !

Transport

People on foot have been forgotten. There is a resurgence of interest in walking in response to the big issues of the 21st century climate change, fuel cost & availability, personal health, obesity and urban liveability

Waynding for people?

There is little pedestrian waynding signage in cities Street name signs are too high and infrequent A lot of signage is poorly designed and located Retail branding signage installed randomly

Signage designed for other designers

What do pedestrians need?

To nd their way with ease and condence Know the preferred walking routes to destinations Know where its safe to cross roads Understand public transport options

The questions people ask

Where am I now? Street name signs must be installed in pairs at all intersections and be at the correct: height, orientation, font size and contrast How do I get where I want to go? Provide information maps and directional signs How far is it? Provide walking times on maps & signs What else is in the area? Pedestrian oriented maps should show all important people destinations

Research
Good waynding requires the use of map-based signs Research in London shows that 66% of travellers and 80% of tourists would consider walking instead of other modes, after seeing a walkingfocused map.............BUT

Change is needed
Most maps are not designed for pedestrians and 75% are either upside down or the wrong way round

Good practice in pedestrian waynding

Livable cities are legible cities

Good practice
The Bristol Legible City project pioneered modern waynding The design principles are: Dont make me think! have one system to learn and remember how it works What I need, when I need it use progressive disclosure: just enough information and not too much Connect areas connecting areas, regions and transport Clean up get rid of unnecessary clutter, have as few signs as possible, as many as needed

Map-Based Signs Where you are is what you see

Pedestrian Maps

Directional Signs Sign to off map destinations

De-clutter Remove old signage

Related Hand-held Maps

Integration Consistency

Creating a legible city

The process has 3 stages: Stage 1 Strategy & Concepts Identifying the signage needs for the area The What & the Where Issues Stage 2 Design Consultation, planning, initial development Detailed map & signage specications

Stage 3 Manufacture & installation

Stage 1 Strategy & Concepts

Every area is different and needs independent analysis The size, shape & character of an area dictates the appropriate waynding system for that area. Strategy work includes: Existing signage audit Identication of key pedestrian routes and destinations Analysis of public transport access Identify precinct walkability issues Identify the appropriate sign family & placement policy Concept designs

Implemented projects
Completed strategies Bendigo Ballarat (Transit Cities) Bayswater Footscray Kew Junction Broadmeadows Melbourne Royal Park IMAP - Stonnington, Port Phillip, Yarra & Melbourne Heidelberg Mandurah, WA Gosnells, WA Parramatta, NSW Melbourne Sports Precinct Signage implementation Installed 2007 Late 2008 Now 2007 2008/9 2007 Installed 2004 Late 2008 2009 Demonstration project 2009 2008/9 2008/9 2008/9 2006

Methodology
Best Practice Guide to Pedestrian Waynding The What and Where issues. Signing methodology and installation guide Map & sign content rules guide

Auditing
Existing signage. Is it legible, functional, helpful?

Signs audited as part of the IMAP project

Analysis
Link precincts through local and regional signage Be consistent across all agencies and councils Design a hierarchy of signs to match a hierarchy of locations/decision points

Walking time bubble map planning process

Planning

The what issues

Provide a coordinated family of similar signs Use quality materials to reect positively on the area and minimise vandalism & allow for easier maintenance Design for updating & establish a maintenance program

Integration with existing signage (where appropriate)

Concepts Localised appropriate designs

The where issues

At major decision points, origins and destinations Locate signs within 10 minutes walk time of each other At indecision points Signs should not become a barrier in the pedestrian space and sufcient viewing space is required

IMAP waynding strategy planning process

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Strategy visualisation

Stage 2 Design
Consultation, planning, design, review...... Design & production of Master Maps (detailed precinct map, reference map, handheld map....) Integration of city identity or brand aesthetics Map-based sign specications Directional sign layout specications Installation guidelines Complete specication of the waynding system

Activity centre maps

Develop pedestrian focused heads-up maps with relevant content: Show landmarks, safe crossings, public transport, seating, toilets & baby change facilities, walking routes...

Design process

Stage 3 Manufacture & implementation

The completed signage package allows the system to be put out to tender for manufacture and installation

Conclusion
Improved waynding and walkability go together Provide pedestrian information signage at decision points Make the pedestrian environment t for purpose, convenient, convivial, connected and comfortable Complement increased walking with reduced trafc speeds Promote walking www.walktober.com.au

Legible and walkable cities are liveable

Bruce Herbes Waynding Consultant www.visualvoice.com.au