Originally posted by tranquilice:
Taken from http://app.lta.gov.sg/corp_new_content.asp?start=63
[b]Getting around the MRT
system
An average 2.5 million MRT rides are made daily. For passengers who
take the MRT frequently, the rail system maps and signage may not
be noticeable, as they do not need to refer to them. However, the
system map plays an important role in guiding tourists who are
unfamiliar with our MRT system, as well as passengers who are
travelling to a destination for the first time and may need help in
moving around the MRT system.
System maps should display a complex range of information in a
simple, brief and consistent manner, whilst allowing flexibility
for future expansion of the rail network. Repetition or too much
information can be confusing. Our rail system map and the
accompanying locality maps are designed to cater for future
additions, such as Circle Line, using the same principles of
simplicity, brevity and consistency.
In Singapore, each rail line is represented by one colour. For
example, the North South Line is represented by the colour red,
East West Line represented by green and all LRT lines by grey. We
use an alphanumeric code comprising two letters - representing the
name of the line, and a number to identify each station. For
example, "EW" represents the East West Line and "NS" represents the
North South Line. So Orchard station, which is located on the North
South Line, has been assigned the code NS22.
By assigning a unique alphanumeric code that is displayed alongside
the English station name in all system maps and station signage,
this helps non-English-speaking passengers identify the
stations.
Finding their way around the rail system will also be made easier
when multi-lingual signs are added to stations by 2005. Names of
stations will be displayed in three languages at various parts of
the station and on the system maps. Commuters who are conversant in
Mandarin and Tamil will be able to read the signs at the entrances
to stations and along the platforms. Fare charts on the concourse
will also display station names in these languages.
The principles of designing rail system maps are universal. For
example, the various rail lines in system maps in Paris and Tokyo are identified by name and colour. However,
minor differences do exist, e.g. information in Tokyo's system map
is presented in both Japanese and English, while information in
Paris' system map is in French only.
Interested to know more about the latest developments within LTA?
Read the latest issue of Journeys![/b]
Journeys can be found at NRL inside JRL.
