Positioning of Customer Information Screens

[Mcr Warrior]

Are there any guidelines as regards the positioning of Customer Information Screens?

Query relates to the Northbound platform at Whitechapel Station (on the fairly-recently re-opened East London Line) where the next departures CIS screen is positioned in such a way that it is obscured by other adjacent signage and is not viewable from 85%-90% of the platform length.

See pics at following links:- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Unit_378150_at_Whitechapel.jpg

And in particular...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Whitechapel_station_East_London_look_south.jpg

 

[jopsuk]

Dunno if there are guidelines, but next time I use the train to work I'll get a picture of the truly awful sign/CIS interaction at Whittlesford Parkway.

 

[W-on-Sea]

Hmm, it is far from the only instance of this on the TfL Network, Indeed, on the tube it is commonplace, almost the norm, for the displays to be obscured, which seems to indicate a shocking lack of planning or thought.

Some examples (with a good rant in each case)
http://diamondgeezer.blogspot.com/2008/10/next-train-holborn.html
http://diamondgeezer.blogspot.com/2008/10/installed-by-cretins.html

 

[mickey]

One of the electronic boards on the platform at Lime St LL has information one one side only. Why is it not double sided like all the rest?

 

[Dai.]

Surely it's just common sense to put it in a place where people can see it? I've not come across a stupidly placed sign (yet!) luckily! Somewhere in the middle or where there are no obvious obstructions?

 

[jopsuk]

You would think so Dai, wouldn't you?

 

[Geezertronic]

Some of the new signs positioned on the M6 (near J5) where they have just converted it to add the variable speed signs have the lights that illuminate the junction sign of a night blocking a drivers view of the junction number in the bottom left-hand corner.

 

[142094]

I would guess that some signs/CIS screens are placed in the safest position possible to allow for the obvious crowding that happens - no point in having one in the best viewable position which might be a small space etc. Also the ones on that blog may be blocked by signs but you'd think that there would be some asset renewal plan to replace the old signs and put them in a different position as well.

 

[Aictos]

Surely it's just common sense to put it in a place where people can see it? I've not come across a stupidly placed sign (yet!) luckily! Somewhere in the middle or where there are no obvious obstructions?

True, but you could put a great big 60" screen next to a gateline and still have some passengers walk straight past on auto to their platforms never mind the fact alterations exist.

 

[yTocynnwr]

Harlech CIS screens are helpfully hidden behind the Stop boards at the up ends of the platforms.

 

[Greenback]

Harlech CIS screens are helpfully hidden behind the Stop boards at the up ends of the platforms.

At least they've got them now, when I lived there information was very scarce as there were nos creens at all!

 

[12CSVT]

Blackfriars platform 5 north end CIS is almost completely obscured unless you are on the other platform

 

[Any Permitted]

Hmm, it is far from the only instance of this on the TfL Network, Indeed, on the tube it is commonplace, almost the norm, for the displays to be obscured, which seems to indicate a shocking lack of planning or thought.

Some examples (with a good rant in each case)
http://diamondgeezer.blogspot.com/2008/10/next-train-holborn.html
http://diamondgeezer.blogspot.com/2008/10/installed-by-cretins.html

I was just about to link to the DG blog posts. He always makes good point.s

 

[jimbo99]

Agree with Holborn station.

Also the new indicators on FCC (first saw them at St Pancras, but now installed at City) are often difficult to read. If they were tilted down a little they'd be fine. But as they are the reflections of the fluorescent light strips can make them impossible to read.

 

[Poggs]

Saying "That DMI has been positioned by a blind man" is not as good as saying "If it were relocated HERE, then...".

TfL have comprehensive design standards - see http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/corporate/lu-signs-manual-issue04.pdf, section 6.6 Maintaining clear sightlines.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Quite interesting that, but as regards real time information signs, one is referred instead (at section 4.10) to other specifications.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Now heard back from London Underground. Unfortunately, it seems that they aren't going to be re-positioning the part-obscured Customer Information Screen on the London Overground platform 5 anytime soon due to cost/budgetary issues (!)

As W-on-Sea has previously pointed out, it seems to indicate a shocking lack of planning or thought in positioning a Customer Information Screen that cannot be viewed from the majority of the (four carriage) platform length.

 

[swt_passenger]

Given that the entire interchange setup will change with the Crossrail work, I'd tend to agree there's little point in changing anything now. There'll almost certainly be plans to fit more displays at the other end of the platforms as well, as that's where the route to Crossrail and the new northern station entrance will be. The subways to the two LU island platforms will also have to move, because the islands are combined into one in the middle of the station.