Mapping
system
Research showed that the city centre of Bristol has a notoriously poor ‘mental
picture’ – so the design of usable maps was adopted very early on
in route-finding concepts. The final designs adopted a unique ‘heads-up’
viewpoint of pedestrian maps with the addition of three-dimensional landmarks.
Their development is focussed on their ability to be helpful to the general
public – who contributed during tests and research.
Unique
heads-up mapping
The majority of the population do not have the specialist dimensional skill
of a map-reader, an architect or an orienteer – who can view a north-south
map and calculate direction. So the ‘Heads-up’ maps used on panels
in the street are oriented according to where they are situated, and not north-south.
What you see on the map is right in front of you. Each panel is therefore designed
individually. On the 40 in the current system there are 80 uniquely different
local walking maps.
Map
design
3D
landmarks
City
Centre map
Suite
of parts
Unique
heads-up mapping
Map
design
The detail of the maps was developed in conjunction with Ordnance Survey. The
majority of maps in common use are designed for road-users. For Bristol’s
pedestrians, a detailed street map was used as a base that included pavements,
crossings and steps. A wheelchair user can easily see that the short cut on
the map contains steps and should be avoided. The
colours
and icons used throughout are examples of the visual language.
3D
landmarks
City
Centre map
Suite
of parts
Unique
heads-up mapping
Map
design
3D
landmarks
City
Centre map
In addition to the detailed local walking map, an abstract city map indicates
where you are in the context of the whole city centre. Its is easily possible
to navigate from one side of the centre to the other by heading in the general
direction to the next panel and taking on new directions.
Suite
of parts
