The Geographically Correct Subway Map

While taking a look at NYC Subway, we noted that there was a new, "geographically correct" New York City Subway Route Map by SPUI. Gothamist likes the map, because it gives us a sense of how the city really looks (reminding us once again that Manhattan does not run North-South) and gives us ammo for the "We knew the train take a sharp turn at..." But in terms of day-to-day use, it doesn't really work as well, since there are too many colors. Now, if someone could design an interactive subway map - perhaps on a website - which would have alerts/service advisories pop up for each of the stations.

Some more subway maps: From the MTA, the Vignelli map of 1972, the Dynamap, and the Kick Design map.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on May 11, 2005 12:48 PM

Comments [rss]

Jason

Toyochin, subway stations are typically one avenue block long. The L station at Third Ave streches between 2nd and 3rd Aves. When the 2nd Ave subway opens, there will be no need for a walkway, it will intersect at the other end of the station.

As for the reasons, I'd guess it was built like that for an easy connection to the 3rd Ave El.

mgrass

While this may be an improvement in certain respects, the lack of a dotted line indicating where the tunnels cross under the river could be confusing. From afar, the tunnel portal symbols look like terminal stations.

Dan

The Underground aka The Tube in London has an interactive map. Its a really good map that works good, NYC should copy that. Link here -> http://www.visitlondon.com/tubeguru/

I like the "I knew there was a really sharp turn there" comment...so true.

Lamont

Because of the mapping that puts Manhattan in a north-south position, my own mental map of Brooklyn is all skewed. I appreciate the actual orientation of this map, thanks.

For subway and bus mapping, directions, connections, I sometimes use http://www.hopstop.com/ which has a unique application for walking/MTA directions within the 5 borough limits.

toyochin

It's going to be especially stupid when the 2nd Ave Subway opens in 2084 and they have to build a walkway between 2nd and 1st/3rd Ave.

As for maps, it couldn't be that hard to do up different maps for, say, weekend/late night and service changes, no?

Curmudgeon

More than ever you can see how ridiculous it is to have a 3rd Av L stop so close to Union Square. Like, people can't haul their asses one more block while others further East have to trudge all the way to 1st Av?? Come on, I know they can at least open an Av A entrance to the 1st Stop.

Kojak

"Now, if someone could design an interactive subway map - perhaps on a website - which would have alerts/service advisories pop up for each of the stations."

Agreed. The MTA is either too stupid or can't afford all those Java and Shockwave applications to make that possible, let alone a good web designer. Their website sucks.