Alternative "London Layout" rail services map.

[tractakid]

An interesting map is being developed online- found here- http://www.londonlayout.co.uk/online.htm

I was wondering what people think about the map. I enjoy viewing and criticising maps and have given some feedback to the author.

The author gives his intentions here http://www.londonlayout.co.uk/#mission

What criticisms do people have of the map, and what strengths can be attributed to it?

Does anyone notice any inaccuracies or inconsistencies?

 

[harry42]

I like it, but don't really see much difference other than NR lines added on

 

[yorkie]

I like it, but don't really see much difference other than NR lines added on

Added on to what?

This is an alternative design to the London Rail and Tube services map

You need to read the detail in the link provided by tractakid.

Having read it, I agree that this map is generally more geographically accurate, and it is more consistent. Whether or not it is better, I am still undecided.

 

[Eagle]

I don't know, it seems to just be a more ugly and awkward-looking version of what we already have, rather than a current redesign.

The reason given for the map is that it's to remove all the clutter on the map (such as all the words and symbols and stepfree access stuff, which I agree there is too much of), but if you wanted rid of that you could just delete it whilst leaving the map as it is, rather than needlessly mucking with the layout of the lines and making it look worse.

 

[maniacmartin]

I like the new layout, the way interchanges are shown and the larger stations rather than TfL's funny link interlinked things.

I don't like the fact the lines are so thin, the font, the fact zones are turned off by default, the horrid colour zones when turned on, and the buggy javascript for panning - it'd be better to just give us a PDF.

Clicking Info then Change for gives some idea of how the author plans to monetise this, which I think will be a flop. Also, the author has a massive copyright notice but I believe that TfL already have some legal protection to stop commercial use, and wouldn't be too happy at a slightly adapted version (source). This may be why he redid the styling and didn't use the Old Road Sign font, which resembles TfL's.

Also, clicking the number to remove National Rail still leaves London Overground.

 

[GNERman]

There's also Project Mapping's London Map - http://projectmapping.co.uk/Reviews/Resources/TOCs AS v2.5 London 24f.pdf

 

[maniacmartin]

I like ProjectMapping's maps, this one included
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Regarding the font, he appears to have specified a specific-named font and no fall-back family, so on operating systems such as Linux that don't have it, it falls back to the default which looks like Times New Roman.

 

[Class172]

I like the concept of the map, since the central London area is a bit more geographically accurate, but then the original design was intended to deliberately ignore this fact.

 

[tractakid]

One issue in my opinion is lack of consistency with the walking interchanges that are shown. Kenton and Northwick Park would be an obvious choice, in my opinion.

 

[jon0844]

The map looks okay, but I think some info like accessibility should be left in - and perhaps that could be done by using a different colour for the station names? Therefore no need for a symbol.

The kickstarter amount isn't massive, but I am not sure who would invest in this - especially with the potential for some legal issues even with the use of a different typeface.

Overall, I don't have a massive problem with the existing maps. I'd say that these days, people are more likely to use an app and the innovation will come from how you view the maps on your smartphone or tablet, get real time information and can plan routes.

To be honest, mxData's Tube Map app (which has been around for years) is pretty decent and perhaps they should be seeking to enhance their app to include other lines, or even do something more nationwide.

 

[tractakid]

It's possibly worth following the Facebook page, the author has been posting pictures regarding ideas about how to show accesibility information. I quite like his idea.

https://www.facebook.com/LondonLayout

 

[Gathursty]

Is there a London map which only shows NR stations and lines within the zones?

 

[tractakid]

I'm tempted to say the back pages of Trackatlas...

 

[JamesRowden]

An inaccuracy that I see is that the map does not indicate the fact that Embankment Underground station is by the side of the south east corner of Charing Cross National Rail Station (whilst the map shows Euston Square as connected to Euston even thought that distance is substantially more).

 

[D6975]

An inaccuracy that I see is that the map does not indicate the fact that Embankment Underground station is by the side of the south east corner of Charing Cross National Rail Station (whilst the map shows Euston Square as connected to Euston even thought that distance is substantially more).

Not only that but it implies that Euston Square is SE rather than W of Euston.
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One issue in my opinion is lack of consistency with the walking interchanges that are shown. Kenton and Northwick Park would be an obvious choice, in my opinion.

And Wanstead Park - Forest Gate, a very short walk (<200m) that I've done many times.

 

[tractakid]

An update:

http://www.londonlayout.co.uk/img/suburban.pdf