Sergei Sobyanin on how the new metro navigation system has changed travel experience around Moscow

The development of the metro is a megaproject in which everything is important: new stations, trains, services and the navigation system that helps passengers navigate quickly and easily. Sergei Sobyanin wrote about the new navigation system of the Moscow Metro in his blog.

“We started developing a new navigation system 10 years ago, and today it is no longer just metro signs, but a full ecosystem covering all types of urban transport, including the newest one-river transport,” highlighted the Moscow Mayor.

The first and most daring experiment in this area was floor navigation, which appeared back in 2014. New signs suggested the direction of transfer to other metro lines. The floor navigation quickly became popular and very helpful for passengers, being especially convenient during rush hour.

The metro map is still the basis of the navigation system. In recent years, the metro network has grown 1.5 times with many new stations opening each year and four Moscow Central Diameters launched. A modern and recognizable design has been developed to show passengers all the changes in the metro map. Circles have been replaced with dashes, now circles indicate only transfer hubs.

The colors of the new lines are selected by Muscovites in the Active Citizen project. For example, Moscow residents chose emerald for the Troitskaya line, graphite for the Rublyovo-Arkhangelskaya line and ruby for the Biryulyovskaya line.

Each line now has a number in addition to its name and color. The line signs are indicated by a colored circle with a number, so navigation has become even easier.

For the first time, well-lit maps have been placed not only at the entrances, but also on the platforms of all metro stations. In addition, the cars now feature both traditional printed maps and touch maps allowing passengers to choose the preferred route.

Media screens show the numbers of buses and trams that stop at the next metro station.

Digitalization has also improved linear navigation. Information displays are traditionally placed above the doors of cars. The new Moskva-2020 trains show the station layout, exits or transfers to another station.

The traditional illuminated metro signs have also been renovated. To change information, specialists used to apply sticky letters. The text sizes of the same sign could differ. LED lamps are now used instead of fluorescent lamps, as they are brighter and more economical, and navigation elements can now be changed individually. They are designed in much the same way as New Year’s lights with all LEDs placed in a single strip.

In addition, the sign font called Moscow Sans has been adapted, making it easier to read. The new font can only be used in the capital’s transport.

In addition to the names of lines and stations, pictograms, familiar and intuitive signs of facilities and services of urban infrastructure (airports and stations, schools, hospitals, theaters, museums and sports facilities), are now available.

The navigation, which tells the direction of the train on the tunnel walls, has become more concise. The system allows passengers to quickly find their track.

There are now more signs that are easily visible from anywhere on the platform. For example, vertical lists of stations have been installed, helping passengers quickly plan their route and decide whether to turn right or left, especially when getting off an escalator.

It is sometimes difficult for passengers to find the right exit from the metro at the end of their travel. They used to navigate only by street names, but now each exit has a number; it can be found in the Moscow Metro app or in the GPS navigator.

12 major transfer hubs use consecutive numbers, informing passengers about the metro exits at neighboring stations.

The Moscow Metro and Moscow Central Circle (MCC) have got wall signs featuring maps of the area next to the stations. They show the names of adjacent streets, parks and squares, as well as social facilities.

An accessibility map has been designed for passengers with reduced mobility; it is now available at 165 Moscow Metro and MCC stations. Using the map, passengers can understand whether the station is fitted with escalators, elevators, stairs with ramps and find the most convenient exit or transfer to another line, as well as the path to bus or tram stops.

Temporary signs informing passengers about repair works or changes in the metro operation have also been changed. Until 2014, there was no uniform format for such announcements. They could be printed on copy paper or even handwritten. Now such announcements are characterized by an integral style. Using the new maps, passengers can see changes and plan a convenient route.

“The Moscow navigation ecosystem is developing. It is a very important service for ensuring the comfort and safety of millions of people. Even more digital navigation solutions are to be introduced, making it even more efficient and replacing elements more quickly,” emphasized Sergei Sobyanin.