Winnipeg Transit Wayfinding |
It has been more than 10 years since the system has been put in place and more cities across Canada have come on board and have come up with innovative ways to improve the idea.
Winnipeg's unrolling of wayfinding was not without trouble. Costs were underestimated and publicity surrounding the plan was spotty. The city's website is not exactly informative about it and some the improvement zones have their own version of the mapping system.
To be sure, Winnipeg probably needs to re-examine the program, expand it and make it smart phone friendly. They could probably take a note from Winnipeg Transit who, despite controversy from the rapid transit debate, continue to try and meld technology and infrastructure. The Navigo app and signage with realtime updates is excellent and only getting better.
Special event signage is getting better.
Routes After Bomber Game |
A coordinated approach should be made for every road, every walkway, every cycling path, every business zone and all recreation and park service.
Winnipeg Transit is doing a good job in moving ahead.
Wayfinding at Investor's Group Field |
The debate aside on rapid transit...Winnipeg's bus service has increased ridership because it finds a way to work despite many misgivings about public transportation some people have, especially those in power.
There are map geeks all over the world and even in our own city. How often have we gone to a new place and had the delight of restaurant placemats featuring maps of the local area? It is a quick way to get to know an area. Quite honestly, we don't have enough maps in the city. It is not enough to have people use cell phones with a mapping system from Google.
The maps have to be extremely local. They have to be attractive, innovative and and informative.
Winnipeg Signpost? |
While a bus may have the route number on it, it doesn't mean Winnipeggers who drive cars will know. It seems the city and province should sit down and come up with a signage policy that might incorporate the name and route number but getting the two governments to cooperate is always a daunting task.
Winnipeg's orphaned Wayfinding |
The wayfinding has not been expanded at all. It is an orphaned program that once was championed by Gord Steeves but has no one speaking for it now.
Various city wayfinding maps. |
We can and should do better. Now only is it fun but it is good business. It is entertaining and it is informative. It can be the way to distinguish your city and create excitement.
And for Pete's sake, we should do better on signage leading into the city of Winnipeg.
No comments:
Post a Comment