Underground map showing Elizabeth Line released

[neonison]

BBC News (and others) reports that TfL has released an Underground map showing the Elizabeth Line.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-42412204

A new tube map featuring the Elizabeth Line has been released to mark a year until the railway's completion.

The construction of the line has entered its final stages and it will open to the public in phases from December next year.

Fifteen trains per hour will run through the tunnels, increasing to 24 trains through the central section by May 2019, Transport for London said.

The line will operate as three services before a full service begins in 2019.

Has anyone seen a high resolution downloadable copy please?

 

[Cletus]

TFL press release today
https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/p...r-to-go-until-the-beginning-of-elizabeth-line

https://www.flickr.com/photos/tflpress/25269120048/in/album-72157661724312997/

 

[backontrack]

Ugh, I don't like how they've dealt with the interchanges at Liverpool Street and Paddington - it makes it seem as though the train is zig-zagging around. Very off-putting. Shame, because the line to Abbey Wood looks rather elegant.

I do think a single, block-colour purple rather than the white and purple lines would be better. This is basically a premium tube line, anyway - the District once ran to Southend after all.

 

[pdeaves]

... the District once ran to Southend after all.

And Windsor!

 

[backontrack]

And Windsor!

Never mind Metropolitan to Brill

 

[eastwestdivide]

I think the zig-zags at Padd and Liv St are to show that the initial service is split into three sections, according to the TFL link posted above:

From December 2018, the line will initially operate as three services:

• Paddington (Elizabeth line station) to Abbey Wood via central London
• Paddington (mainline station) to Heathrow (Terminals 2 & 3 and 4)
• Liverpool Street (mainline station) to Shenfield

 

[mallard]

Is there a version of it that doesn't have everything else "dimmed"? It'd be nice to see the zone boundaries at least.

The only criticim I'd make is that the way Farringdon/Barbican is drawn is a little confusing; not making it really clear which station is which, but then with the way that the CrossRail platforms are being built basically "bridging" the two existing LUL stations that's probably unavoidable.

It'll be interesting to see the corresponding updated "London Connections" map in due course.

 

[Mikey C]

On a more general question, I'm finding the Tube map to become more and more cluttered and misleading as it becomes a TfL map, and adds in all the NR lines as they become part of the Overground network or Crossrail.

I hope that's now the actual map they will use, as the way Tramlink is bent up, it makes Beckenham Junction look like it's within touching distance of Woolwich!

 

[backontrack]

I think the zig-zags at Padd and Liv St are to show that the initial service is split into three sections, according to the TFL link posted above:

Ah, that's it, thanks.

 

[DynamicSpirit]

I think the zig-zags at Padd and Liv St are to show that the initial service is split into three sections, according to the TFL link posted above:

I think that's correct. But there seems to be an issue that those really ought to be shown as normal interchanges. On the image that's available, they are shown in dark blue as if they are actual parts of the line, which is confusing. However, it's possible that that's an artifact of them not being faded like the rest of the map, and that'll be OK on a 'real' map that doesn't have everything except Crossrail faded.

More generally, the map does look good with Crossrail standing out. However, I suspect the real, non-faded, one won't look so good, and will just look too cluttered. There really needs to be some kind of rethink of how the map is done, probably with different types of line shown in different styles, to avoid it looking like just one big maze of lines. For things like this to be easily understandable as more and more lines get added, you really need obvious features that the eye can be easily drawn to, to guide you. And this kind of design lacks that. But without such a design/style rethink, I suspect this as good as we can get.

And there needs to be some other symbol used to show where stations are joined together (or where there are good out-of-station interchanges), not just the regular interchange double line - to avoid the confusion that mallard points out at Farringdon/Barbican (same at Bank/Monument). In a similar vein, Woolwich and Woolwich Arsenal are shown too far apart (I'm guessing there will be an out-of-station interchange there. There certainly ought to be).

 

[DynamicSpirit]

No word yet on what Oyster pricing will be between Hayes and Heathrow, once the service is run by TfL, not Heathrow Connect?

 

[Busaholic]

On a more general question, I'm finding the Tube map to become more and more cluttered and misleading as it becomes a TfL map, and adds in all the NR lines as they become part of the Overground network or Crossrail.

I hope that's now the actual map they will use, as the way Tramlink is bent up, it makes Beckenham Junction look like it's within touching distance of Woolwich!

If you ever get a demented driver running late on the 54 bus route desperate to get back to Plumstead Garage on a Sunday night, as I once did, it's only 20 minutes or so away!
.[/QUOTE]

 

[Bletchleyite]

More generally, the map does look good with Crossrail standing out. However, I suspect the real, non-faded, one won't look so good, and will just look too cluttered. There really needs to be some kind of rethink of how the map is done, probably with different types of line shown in different styles, to avoid it looking like just one big maze of lines. For things like this to be easily understandable as more and more lines get added, you really need obvious features that the eye can be easily drawn to, to guide you. And this kind of design lacks that. But without such a design/style rethink, I suspect this as good as we can get.

Dare I suggest U1... and S1...

(Well, probably LO1...n, EL1...n etc)

 

[plymothian]

I think that's correct. But there seems to be an issue that those really ought to be shown as normal interchanges. On the image that's available, they are shown in dark blue as if they are actual parts of the line, which is confusing. [...]

I think they're black outlines for the white-line connectors for interchanges, but because Crossrail is cased purple they look the same colour.

 

[matt_world2004]

No word yet on what Oyster pricing will be between Hayes and Heathrow, once the service is run by TfL, not Heathrow Connect?

Interestingly the map shows heathrow picadilly line and heathrow rail as the same station now . previously it showed them as seperate stations to show the fare differentiation. So I wonder if Heathrow rail is going to be in zone 6.

 

[DanTrain]

Acton now has 7 stations on the tube map, now there's a record neither Ruislip nor Ealing can break! Also, is it me or are all the double-line interchanges just ott and confusing, why not just have a normal interchange at places like Bond Street and Whitechapel? And given my geography of SE London, I could easily be persuaded that Woolwich was within walking distance of Beckenham, but I guess Google Maps keeps me on the straight and narrow!

 

[DynamicSpirit]

Interestingly the map shows heathrow picadilly line and heathrow rail as the same station now . previously it showed them as seperate stations to show the fare differentiation. So I wonder if Heathrow rail is going to be in zone 6.

That's a good point - well spotted. It certainly does does make it look like Heathrow Crossrail will just be in zone 6, which would be a very welcome move. (It would also really call into question what the purpose of Heathrow Express is).

Slightly ironic that they are shown as the same station when I'm fairly sure that for the T4 station, on the ground they are completely separate stations. Not sure about the T2-3 station.

 

[Busaholic]

Interestingly the map shows heathrow picadilly line and heathrow rail as the same station now . previously it showed them as seperate stations to show the fare differentiation. So I wonder if Heathrow rail is going to be in zone 6.

I doubt whether the mapmakers were privy to any decision on how Heathrow will be treated fareswise on Crossrail, even assuming a decision has been made.

 

[matt_world2004]

I doubt whether the mapmakers were privy to any decision on how Heathrow will be treated fareswise on Crossrail, even assuming a decision has been made.

You would be surprised, London buses staff got told what the average fare on crossrail (Not individual fares mind) would be a few weeks ago. The only thing I can deduce from the average fare for crossrail is that TfL are assuming either a lot more peak travel on CR or that the average trip will include journeys outside zone 1-6

 

[rebmcr]

why not just have a normal interchange [symbol] at places like Bond Street and Whitechapel?

The different platforms require different disability access symbols.

One place it is very apparent is Stratford, where the weird grouping of DLR lines makes it look like a through Sratford International - Pudding Mill Lane service could run.

 

[DanTrain]

The different platforms require different disability access symbols.

One place it is very apparent is Stratford, where the weird grouping of DLR lines makes it look like a through Sratford International - Pudding Mill Lane service could run.

Oh, that makes sense, although I can't help feeling there must be a better way to show disability access than impacting the clarity of this map (maybe a seperate map or a list of accessible stations)?

 

[rebmcr]

Oh, that makes sense, although I can't help feeling there must be a better way to show disability access than impacting the clarity of this map (maybe a seperate map or a list of accessible stations)?

I'm content to deal with that, as a compromise to make sure the information for those who need it isn't hidden away. Being able to simply glance at the map in a carriage is so useful that it should be available to all (and TfL apparently agree).

In fact, when in a tunnel cut off from all other forms of information, knowing when you can safely alight is incredibly important.

 

[matt_world2004]

Another thing I have noticed about the map is it shows interchange with GwR at Hayes West Ealing and Ealing Broadway but no interchange at Heathrow for the Heathrow Express.

 

[DynamicSpirit]

Oh, that makes sense, although I can't help feeling there must be a better way to show disability access than impacting the clarity of this map (maybe a seperate map or a list of accessible stations)?

Showing accessible stations is actually a very complex thing to do, because different people have different needs. Some people in wheelchairs might require absolute level access throughout. Other people may be able to cope with a couple of steps but no more. Some people will feel able to use escalators but not stairs. (And actually I have one friend with the reverse problem: Happy to go up stairs but very uncomfortable with escalators!)

Then you have stations with only partial accessibility: Consider for example, Finsbury Park, where you have very convenient step-free access for interchange Piccadilly to/from Victoria but ONLY you continue in the same direction: Change Northbound-to-Northbound or Southbound-to-Southbound is step-free, but if you change from Southbound Piccadilly to Northbound Victoria for example then you have loads of steps.

Representing all those combinations on one single map is next to impossible. TfL do have a special accessible tube map here which arguably makes a good attempt at solving the problems - but it's quite hard to read - and requires frequent reference to the accompanying notes. (And to my mind even that map fails in one important respect because it considers escalators as equivalent to stairs, which is useless for people who can't cope with stairs but can cope with escalators) .

Given the complexities, you could argue that the standard tube map does a reasonable job of putting at least some of the most useful information in a reasonably convenient form.

 

[swt_passenger]

Another thing I have noticed about the map is it shows interchange with GwR at Hayes West Ealing and Ealing Broadway but no interchange at Heathrow for the Heathrow Express.

Will that not be because there will be no TfL through ticketing that uses Hex? Oyster PAYG is expected to be live on HEx by May 2018, but does that include the possibility of through fares incorporating HEx at either end, or in the middle?

 

[matt_world2004]

Will that not be because there will be no TfL through ticketing that uses Hex? Oyster PAYG is expected to be live on HEx by May 2018, but does that include the possibility of through fares incorporating HEx at either end, or in the middle?

It might indicate a seperate fare structure for Heathrow express so will be shown on the London connections map as a seperate station. Even though both Crossrail and Heathrow use the same platform.

 

[spinba11]

I can think of a few places where the wheelchair blob is incorrect, take Hammersmith for example only the pic line is step free street to platform the other 3 lines are (in the middle of the train) step free to train but the map says that the district line is step free to platform as well. Both platforms have been modified to be level with the train.

 

[rebmcr]

I can think of a few places where the wheelchair blob is incorrect, take Hammersmith for example only the pic line is step free street to platform the other 3 lines are (in the middle of the train) step free to train but the map says that the district line is step free to platform as well. Both platforms have been modified to be level with the train.

Hammersmith has a WB and EB platform, there is no "Picc platform" as such.

The map does seem incorrect or at least out of date, though — West Ham is fully step-free throughout.

 

[spinba11]

I will give you that, the platform the pic line normally calls at (the 2 middle ones)

 

[DanTrain]

I'm content to deal with that, as a compromise to make sure the information for those who need it isn't hidden away. Being able to simply glance at the map in a carriage is so useful that it should be available to all (and TfL apparently agree).

In fact, when in a tunnel cut off from all other forms of information, knowing when you can safely alight is incredibly important.

Showing accessible stations is actually a very complex thing to do, because different people have different needs. Some people in wheelchairs might require absolute level access throughout. Other people may be able to cope with a couple of steps but no more. Some people will feel able to use escalators but not stairs. (And actually I have one friend with the reverse problem: Happy to go up stairs but very uncomfortable with escalators!)

Then you have stations with only partial accessibility: Consider for example, Finsbury Park, where you have very convenient step-free access for interchange Piccadilly to/from Victoria but ONLY you continue in the same direction: Change Northbound-to-Northbound or Southbound-to-Southbound is step-free, but if you change from Southbound Piccadilly to Northbound Victoria for example then you have loads of steps.

Representing all those combinations on one single map is next to impossible. TfL do have a special accessible tube map here which arguably makes a good attempt at solving the problems - but it's quite hard to read - and requires frequent reference to the accompanying notes. (And to my mind even that map fails in one important respect because it considers escalators as equivalent to stairs, which is useless for people who can't cope with stairs but can cope with escalators) .

Given the complexities, you could argue that the standard tube map does a reasonable job of putting at least some of the most useful information in a reasonably convenient form.

You would of course have to put up an accessible map with the normal one on trains and in stations. However, DynamicSpirit makes a good point that it's very difficult to show everything, the current solution seems adequate, if not perfect. It would be nice to see the accessibility one more widely available and better designed (those green dots are hideous!), but I guess nothing's perfect