John Briggs Consultants – RESULTS OF RESEARCH INTO A NEW SUBURBAN BUS MAP 1982

Description

Research tested a new suburban “Planner” bus map against an old District map and the Whole System map via four mixed-user group discussions in the Forest District. Findings: local journeys are typically short, routine and supported by strong local knowledge; maps are used mainly for unfamiliar trips, with many preferring to ask staff or friends. The Whole System map was seen as a useful reference but overly detailed, cluttered and hard to read for local use. The old District map was consistently preferred for clarity, legibility, colour coding and ease of locating places and tube links. The new Planner concept—linking routes with numbered coloured circles—was understood and valued, especially for longer journeys, but initially appeared complex; younger users adapted more quickly. Main criticisms concerned circles obscuring road detail, poor place-name legibility, missing terminal points, distorted geography and small print. Conclusion: the new system is promising but needs redesign (clearer printing, better colour/legend, underground inclusion and local insets) to meet suburban users’ needs.