Wayfinding and Walking in London Lilli Matson Transport for London May 2013
I want to make walking in London as attractive and enjoyable as possible by making walking count Mayor of London Boris Johnson The Mayor of London defines his transport policies within the Mayor s Transport Strategy His strategic vision for walking includes: 1. Delivering streets that are safer, easier to navigate and more comfortable and attractive to walk on 2. Promoting walking as the first choice for health, leisure and everyday short trips 3. Enabling London to be a more liveable city 4. One million extra walking trips by 2031
What do we know about walking in London? A constant mode share, although the number of journey stages are rising... 2000 21% mode share 5.4m walk journeys 2006 21% mode share 5.8m walk journeys 2011 21% mode share 6.2m walk journeys The Mayor wishes to raise this mode share by 1% by 2031 (1m extra trips) This increase will come from: 1. Increase in London s population and employment 2. Mode shift to walking from private car
Walking in London is popular already! Currently walked (%) Potentially walkable (%) Potentially walkable trips: 1.5km to 2km 26% 74% 194,000 The drop-off point 1km to less than 1.5km 46% 54% 529,000 500m to less than 1km 75% 25% 617,000 Under 500m 94% 6% 574,000 *Attitudes to Walking 2010, p15 Source: LTDS 2005/06 to 2007/08 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Increasing walking numbers In London, we measure walking potential Walking potential is a measure of current trips which could reasonably be walked all the way, but aren t at present Using this analysis, 1.9m potentially walkable trips exist in London These 1.9m trips are our target for mode shift to walking
London s walking potential mapped North sub-region West sub-region 29% of walk potential remains 31% of walk potential remains East sub-region 26% of walk potential remains South sub-region 28% of walk potential remains Central sub-region 16% of walk potential remains Most of the potential exists in outer London areas where car use is dominant
Why are we encouraging people to walk more? Supports road and rail network congestion relief Reliable method for moving around the city Supports economic regeneration: Those who walk to London town centres spend the most per head per month: 373 far higher than any other mode - buses are next closest on 282 Developers and landowners realise that walking makes business sense too... Walkable streets and good quality public realm increase the value of developments, land and rent returns
London s three key walking initiatives To deliver more walking, we re focusing on three programmes around: 1. Infrastructure improvements to make walking easier, safer and nicer 2. Promotion of the benefits of walking and of London as one of the world s great walking cities 3. Information and wayfinding provision to encourage walking...
What stops people walking? 1 Safety 2 Traffic and congestion 3 Poor walking environments 4 Wayfinding & awareness
London s wayfinding problems 25% of people navigate using the Tube map The Tube map creates very limited pockets of spatial awareness and encourages short tube trips that could be walked Problem Issue Goal =
London s wayfinding problems Mass of un-coordinated wayfinding products Over 32 different signs systems existed in Central London before 2007 Problem Goal
Wayfinding solution - Legible London Single wayfinding system for London Uses a human scale the five minute walk Give places names to build mental maps Progressively discloses information Highlight s London s attractions Can be used anywhere in London Encourages walking by building confidence Supports mode shift to walking
The Maps Neighbourhood Time not distance Village Heads up oriented Transport information Style & Design 3D Buildings
Modal integration
Legible London is popular and works! Overwhelmingly positive indicators in technical and attitudinal evaluation: 91% of interviewees stated that the system should be rolled out across the capital 85% satisfaction level for ease of use 32% decline in feeling lost amongst users 23% increase in wayfinding confidence levels 16% time saving improvement for pedestrian journeys within the Bond Street area Average of 40 users per sign per hour
The system continues to evolve... The Shard internal signs 2012 Games walking & cycling signs Canary Wharf digital sign
Legible London is spreading... April 2013: 1200 signs
We have clear plans for expansion...
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!
Using Legible London to encourage walking A scheme to encourage more onward walking from a key rail station 56,000 free walking maps distributed to commuters 6% increase in walking journeys from Waterloo 16% increase in walking in local area Useful trial for 2012 Games
Legible London and the 2012 Games TfL produced a hugely popular suite of 2012 rail station and venue maps to encourage walking and manage travel demand: 6 million maps produced Given to customers at all stations Walking in London increased by 8-9% due to: 1. walking maps and promotion 2. additional visitor traffic 3. background public transport users choosing to re-mode for the Games Success will be applied to other large events needing demand management
To summarise TfL is responsible for delivering the Mayor s walking policies and targets, working with boroughs to realise a1% mode shift increase in walking = 1m+ extra walk trips every day Walking provides a range of transport, economic and health benefits and there is significant potential for more walking across London TfL and boroughs use a range of infrastructure measures, information schemes and promotional activities to encourage more walking in the Capital Legible London continues to expand and is supporting more people to walk The 2012 Games were a valuable learning exercise for understanding how we can get more Londoners to walk more though targeted event based campaigns
Thank you Questions? LilliMatson@tfl.gov.uk