Legible London

 Walking is the best way to get around in London because it is free, healthy, quick and environmentally friendly. Legible London (implemented in 2009) is a wayfinding system for London, designed to bring a solution to inconsistent signage and confusion about distances between areas.If more people walked more often, we would have less traffic and noise, and better air quality.

    

With approximately 1300 maps round the city, this successful system enables people to walk more, which makes public transports more efficient and less overcrowded. Road space is freed up, alleviating congestion. Moreover, populated streets reduce crime, and people feel safer. Finally, the maps provide knowledge of unfamiliar areas, which decreases people’s reluctance to walk because of a lack of confidence.

The Legible London maps show simple 3D drawings of notable buildings in order to fix given points in people’s minds.

A clear sans-serif typeface is common throughout the maps to get an optimum of legibility, and the sign is readable by wheelchair users.Furthermore, the maps use high contrast colours for optimum legibility (dark blue background with white or yellow text + black text on yellow background).

By defining known areas in terms of five-minute walks or fifteen, journeys between areas seem more easily walkable.

Also notable to point out, the Legible London signs are solar-powered! Amazing...