[Boston] The MBTA has a survey up about six new schematic maps.

[randomness]

From http://s.zoomerang.com/s/mbtamapsurvey (go there to see the maps in full size, comment, and vote):

This past spring, the MBTA launched the New Perspectives MBTA Map Re-design competition. The response was overwhelming, not only because of the dozens of responses received, but the impressive quality of many of the entries. A panel of experts including the MBTA, academics, urban planners, and mapping aficionados evaluated each of the entries against a set of criteria. The six maps below were the highest rated.

Please review these finalists and let the MBTA know what you think of them—would any of them be an improvement over the current MBTA rapid transit/key bus routes map? With so many new projects opening (new Fairmount Line stations and next year’s opening of Assembly Square Station) and many more in the pipeline (Green Line Extension, South Coast Rail and Silver Line Gateway) the MBTA will need to modify and redesign our system maps. The MBTA may use the map with the most favorable public response from this contest as the new MBTA map, so please be sure to vote!

Click on the map image to open a larger version. You must cast a vote for each map to complete your voting.

Voting will be open until September 20. The MBTA expects to announce the winner by the end of the month.

Thumbnails of each map :












ETA: Twenty designs that didn't make it.

Hat tip: thespian.

Comments

[redbird]

That was fun, thanks.

As long as I was voting, I pointed out a spelling error I'd noticed, and gave them praise generally for actually labeling the green line stations rather than the current map's assumption that if I can't identify them without a label, I don't want to go there.

[randomness]

Glad you liked it!

[jendaviswilson.livejournal.com]

I dont know the system or the geography well enough to guess which is best as conveying important information, but #1 wins hands-down for graphic design and legibility.

[beowabbit]

That’s my opinion, too (as someone who does live here). It’s also the one that’s stylistically most similar to the current map.

[coraline]

it's nice to hear that from someone who's not familiar with the current map, since i was wondering if i were biased towards it since it's most similar to the one we already have...

[quietann.livejournal.com]

Even though the ones with curvy lines are more accurate geographically, I think I prefer the straight lines ones. Number 1 and number 6 are my choices...

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

Thank you for posting this! Would you rather I signalboost by linking to your post or by writing my own version? May I use the images? I really want to spread this info, but I wanted to check with you first.

[r-ness.livejournal.com]

Would you rather I signalboost by linking to your post or by writing my own version?

By all means, feel free to do whichever you like.

May I use the images?

The images belong to the T, so I'm actually linking them without permission myself. :)

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

To be expedient I shall point people here.

ETA: having posted... OMG, the rejectees. The TREE. The actual HUB. *falls over laughing*

[digitalemur.livejournal.com]

The cross stitch one is killing me. :)

[r-ness.livejournal.com]

People seem to like that one!

[stolen-tea.livejournal.com]

They should *totally* do something with that one. I don't mean use it as a real map, but maybe as an icon for the map, or something?

[ceo]

I like #1 best by far, but I'm wondering if the font for the aboveground part of the Green Line should be kicked down a point or two. That's probably the hardest part of this, particularly since the map being square was one of the requirements.

I also think the Blue and Orange Lines should have rounded corners where they curve through State; the hard corners make it unclear how the lines continue through.

[nihilistic-kid.livejournal.com]

As a former local, I like #4 and #5. 1 is pretty much just like the extant map. I want to see the water, which helps me get a sense of direction when aboveground too.