I Walk NY: A Plan for Pedestrian Wayfinding in New York City
- Wayfinding & Signage Projects
- Information Design Projects
The New York City Department of Transportation commissioned Two Twelve to study the pedestrian experience throughout the five boroughs and develop a wayfinding plan to help people navigate more easily, conveniently and with confidence. The primary goal of the project was to develop a wayfinding strategy that encourages people to walk, with the related aims and benefits of easing vehicular congestion, reducing crowding on subways and buses, improving human health and mobility, and easing the flow of foot traffic that is the lifeblood of the city's numerous commercial, cultural and recreational activities.
Given the international success of the innovative Legible London wayfinding program in the UK, Two Twelve partnered with the inventor of that system, London-based Tim Fendley of Applied (formerly AIG: Applied Information Group) to develop the strategy and recommendations for New York. Beresford Research also worked with us to survey various pedestrian populations and assess the tools they use to locate themselves within their surroundings. One aspect of this research involved asking people to create "mental maps" that illustrate their perceptions of the city neighborhoods in relation to one another.
The results of our research provided the foundation for a strategic framework that would include consistent cues and information systems that may be employed throughout the five boroughs to unify the many existing sign systems, maps, guides and graphics that people already use to navigate New York City. "I Walk New York: A Plan for Pedestrian Wayfinding in New York City" outlines a clear and feasible strategy for providing orientation information and easy-to-understand directions.
"Our plan lays out a vision for a walking experience that is well organized and user-friendly without sacrificing the energy and diversity that make New York a unique and vibrant city," says David Gibson, Two Twelve's Principal-in-Charge of the study.
