Rail Safety & Standards Board – WAYFINDING AT STATIONS 2006

Description

This rail-specific good practice guide outlines how to plan, design, implement and maintain effective station wayfinding. It provides a toolkit covering business cases, multidisciplinary teams, user research (observations, journey-shadowing, interviews, staff feedback), audits, company strategies, station information schedules, testing, signage implementation, de-cluttering and ongoing maintenance (records, cleaning, feedback). Inclusive design and legal duties (DDA) are stressed: consider people, information and environment factors; provide visual, audible and tactile formats; train staff; and meet mobility, cognitive, hearing and visual impairments. Practical guidance covers directional and exit signage, platform/name signs, lifts, timetables, maps, temporary information, lighting and pedestrian flow. Maps should be ‘up’ oriented, consistently labelled, well lit (min. 200 lux) and accessible. Sign design and placement should prioritise contrast, legible sans-serif typefaces, correct sizing, clear arrows, grouped lists (3–5 items), minimal colour-coding, non-reflective durable materials and unobstructed sightlines. Dynamic displays, PA systems and tactile elements must be clear, consistent and accessible; temporary signage should be visible and staffed at decision points. Standards and further references are provided.