In the United Kingdom, walking has declined by 1% (from 322 km to 317 km per person per year) and cycling by 16% (from 69 km to 58 km per person per year) between 2002 and 2005, although cycling in London has been on a steady increase. Overall European citizens make, on average, 500 trips per year that are shorter than 5 km. The majority of these trips are done by car. Walking could be a realistic alternative for many of these trips.

Getting around cities can be very confusing. 109 journeys between neighbouring central London Underground stations are actually quicker on foot than the Tube. Street signs for pedestrians are hard to read, confusing or non-existent. 

Over the past years the designers at Applied Information Group (AIG) have been working onWalking Cities projects. The team has been designing multi-media systems for cities, which combine on-street signs, paper and digital mapping. The main purpose of the projects is to engage people with the city, make walking easy and reduce dependence on the car and public transport.   

The mapping designed by AIG takes an entirely pedestrian-centric approach. It incorporates graphics of recognisable landmarks and well known retail outlets. It also includes colour coding to indicate direct routes on foot. Custom designed digital mapping is accessible on the Internet – now also accessible on many mobile devices.

AIG have been working on wayfinding systems for Brighton & Hove and Legible London, which includes the three pilot areas Richmond and Twickenham, the South Bank and Bankside as well as Bloomsbury, Covent Garden and Holborn. The first prototype was tested in the West End. Londoners and visitors love the scheme and 85% find it easy to use.

Start the year 2010 walking – it is good for you and the environment.

www.legiblelondon.info

www.visitbrighton.com

www.appliedinformationgroup.com