Oc Transpo Visual Identity and Wayfinding at O-Train Confederation Line Stations
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1 Report to Rapport au: Transit Commission Commission du transport en commun 19 October 2016 / 19 octobre 2016 Submitted on October 5, 2016 Soumis le 5 octobre 2016 Submitted by Soumis par: John Manconi, General Manager / Directeur général, Transportation Services / Services des transports Contact Person Personne ressource: Pat Scrimgeour, Director / Directeur, / Transit Customer Systems & Planning / Systèmes-clients & Planification du transport en commun (613) 580-2424 ext./poste 52205, [email protected] Ward: CITY WIDE / À L'ÉCHELLE DE LA File Number: ACS2016-TSD-OCT-0002 VILLE SUBJECT: OC TRANSPO VISUAL IDENTITY AND WAYFINDING AT O-TRAIN CONFEDERATION LINE STATIONS OBJET: L’IDENTIFICATION VISUELLE ET LE SYSTÈME D’ORIENTATION D’OC TRANSPO DANS LES STATIONS DE LA LIGNE DE LA CONFÉDÉRATION DE L’O-TRAIN REPORT RECOMMENDATION That the Transit Commission receive this report for information. RECOMMANDATION DU RAPPORT Que la Commission du transport en commun prenne connaissance de ce rapport. 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The opening of the O-Train Confederation Line will mark a major change in the delivery of transit service in Ottawa. Bus routes that formerly operated on the Transitway between Blair and Tunney’s Pasture Stations and through the downtown core will be replaced by high- frequency rail service. Most OC Transpo customers will use one of 13 new multi-modal O-Train stations on a daily basis in their transit trips. The architecture and visual identity of stations will be an impressive and exciting addition to the Ottawa city landscape. Transit customers, residents and tourists will recognize signature design and wayfinding elements that distinguish the Confederation Line and highlight the transformation of transit in the nation’s capital. In downtown, the O-Train stations will be below ground, providing a very different experience for customers compared to today’s bus service. Location and identification of station entrances, comfort and security of waiting areas, wayfinding and orientation through the station, fare payment, and access to information and customer service will all be enhanced compared to the experience customers have today on Rideau, Albert, and Slater Streets and on Mackenzie King Bridge. A distinctive visual identity for station entrances has been developed using the red O graphic symbol that is featured in the O-Train and OC Transpo logos. As OC Transpo customers travel on the new O-Train system, they will begin to recognize the signature design elements that have been incorporated into the station architecture and wayfinding systems. The red O symbol is used as a unifying graphic element that not only identifies stations and their entrances, but defines the stations as an integral part of the larger OC Transpo network. Other prominent recurring graphic elements are a white-on-black system of directional signs, and the circular line number markers for the Confederation Line, Line 1, identified in red, and the Trillium Line, Line 2, identified in green. Depending on when they are travelling, and the origin and destination of their trip, customers will be able to take advantage of many different station services and features. Stations will be equipped with modern amenities such as ticket machines, digital departure time displays, audio announcements, Transecure waiting areas, security cameras, emergency telephones and audio-visual customer help points. The visual identity and wayfinding program has been developed based on customer journey mapping research and focus groups conducted by staff, a review of best 3 practices in transit systems around the world, the City’s Equity and Inclusion Lens, and applicable standards and guidelines. BACKGROUND On November 28, 2008, City Council approved light rail transit between Tunney’s Pasture and Blair stations as part of Stage 1 of the 2008 Transportation Master Plan affordable network. On December 4, 2012, City Council approved the design, build, finance and maintenance of Ottawa’s Light Rail Transit Project by the Rideau Transit Group (RTG). This report confirmed that the transit service delivery model – whereby the train would replace most buses to and from downtown, and that routes from the east, south and west would connect to the train at terminus stations – is aligned with the City’s long- range financial plan. As part of the report, Council was provided sample renderings of the planned O-Train Confederation Line stations, demonstrating the general architecture of stations and concepts for prominent visual elements at station entrances. These designs were the outcome of an extensive review process conducted by RTG in consultation with the National Capital Commission and the City. As part of the July 3, 2013, report to the Transit Commission entitled Light Rail Transit – Naming, Branding, Retail and Vehicle, as well as the August 21, 2013, report to the Transit Commission entitled Light Rail Transit – Station Names and Vehicle Exterior Design, significant high-level design and branding recommendations were approved regarding vehicle design and livery, vehicle interiors, light rail line names, colours and numbers, and station names. On December 9, 2013, the Transit Commission approved the Rapid Transit Fare Control Strategy, which consists of fare-paid zones at major transfer stations, fare gates and fare vending machines at Confederation Line and Trillium Line stations, customer help points at stations, machine-readable transfers with barcodes, and compatibility with future fare payment methods. Throughout 2014 and 2015, staff received preliminary design proposals for signage and wayfinding, developed by RTG. In 2015, a consultant was retained by staff to establish a signage and wayfinding strategy for OC Transpo, building on the established brand as well as an understanding of RTG’s Confederation Line signage and wayfinding guidelines. Their method included 4 a review of best practices for transit navigation and wayfinding in other cities, as well as consultation with customers. On June 15, 2016, the Transit Commission received three reports, which identified changes and additions to the bus route network, service identification, and the fare system that customers will experience in 2018. These reports are: Bus Service Identification – Evolution to Coordinate with the O-Train Confederation Line Multimodal Operations; OC Transpo 2018 Route Network – Transformation to Coordinate with the O-Train Confederation Line Multimodal Operations; and, OC Transpo Fare System – Restructuring to Coordinate with the O-Train Confederation Line Multimodal Operations. DISCUSSION The opening of the O-Train Confederation Line marks a major shift in the delivery of transit service in Ottawa. Bus routes that today operate on the Transitway between Blair and Tunney’s Pasture stations and through the downtown core will be replaced by high frequency rail service. Thirteen new multimodal O-Train stations will open along the new rail line, and most OC Transpo customers will use these stations on a daily basis in their transit trips. In downtown, the O-Train stations will be below ground, providing a very different experience for customers compared to today’s bus service. The architecture and visual identity of stations will be an impressive and exciting addition to the Ottawa city landscape. Transit customers, residents and tourists will recognize signature design and wayfinding elements that distinguish the Confederation Line and highlight the transformation of transit in the nation’s capital. Location and identification of station entrances, comfort and security of waiting areas, wayfinding and orientation through the station, accessibility features, fare payment, and access to information and customer service will all be enhanced, compared to the experience customers have today on Rideau, Albert, and Slater Streets and on Mackenzie King Bridge. At major transfer stations, where many bus routes will provide connections to the train, service will be organized along modern, spacious platforms that provide comfort and convenience for transferring customers. By mid-2018, a new navigation structure will be in place that simplifies understanding of the route network and organizes bus service into meaningful, descriptive categories of Rapid, Frequent, Connexion and Local routes. 5 Coordinated route numbers, symbols and colours form the basis of clear communication for transferring customers. Effective design and organization of the visual identity, customer information and wayfinding services within the stations are fundamental to ensuring a successful and positive travel experience. The quality of services and amenities provided in stations will contribute significantly to the overall improved customer transit experience in 2018. Designs for the 2018 navigation structure began with the O-Train line colours, names and numbers approved by the Transit Commission in 2013. Wayfinding consultants hired by the city in 2015 conducted further analysis, research and comparison with transit industry best practices. Design Principles Staff developed the visual identity and wayfinding program to be clear, durable, and usable by everyone. In particular, these considerations were applied throughout the development and evaluation of the program: Simplicity – Ensuring that the look is clean and uncluttered; Clarity – Ensuring that stations can be identified clearly from a distance, and that the paths within stations are intuitive and unambiguous; Intuitive – Being careful that the identity and signage