Rail Maps- interchange symbols.

[tractakid]

What's a sensible way of deciding which stations are shown as interchange symbols, and which are shown as standard symbols? Is there a magic formula to use?

Example maps:

http://www.projectmapping.co.uk/Resources/TOCs AS v7.9 Jan 2015.pdf

https://www.tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/london-rail-and-tube-services-map.pdf

 

[glbotu]

So, I'd recommend some reading of some of the "map reviews" from http://www.projectmapping.co.uk

It gives a bit of insight into your question.

Short answer is no, although generally it depends on what stations the map maker (or their boss) wants you to interchange at (certainly with the tube).

Eg: South Kensington is displayed as the Circe/District/Piccadilly interchange, rather than the earlier station of Gloucester Road. That's because it's always a straightforward cross-platform or same-platform interchange, or going straight down the escalators. There's basically more space for interchanging passengers at South Kensington, which doesn't exist at Gloucester Road. Same with Baron's Court/Hammersmith.

 

[swt_passenger]

There are published design standards somewhere for LU line diagrams, basically they only show an interchange symbol at the first or last opportunity depending on direction.

As it happens there was a short discussion about it in the LU sub forum only a few weeks ago: http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=109226

Another thing you'll usually find on an LU map is that if there is parallel running with National Rail the double arrows to indicate interchange only appear at the ends of the shared section, not all the intermediate stops. Helps to reduce clutter.

 

[Jonny]

So, I'd recommend some reading of some of the "map reviews" from http://www.projectmapping.co.uk

It gives a bit of insight into your question.

Short answer is no, although generally it depends on what stations the map maker (or their boss) wants you to interchange at (certainly with the tube).

Eg: South Kensington is displayed as the Circe/District/Piccadilly interchange, rather than the earlier station of Gloucester Road. That's because it's always a straightforward cross-platform or same-platform interchange, or going straight down the escalators. There's basically more space for interchanging passengers at South Kensington, which doesn't exist at Gloucester Road. Same with Baron's Court/Hammersmith.

Also, Gloucester Road has no escalators at all; the Piccadilly platforms are lift-only (well lift-and-stairs only to be precise).