Being a frequent patron of San Francisco’s MUNI system, I depend on system updates and maps to help me estimate my commute time. At each of the underground stations there is a flat panel display depicting a real-time image of the trains and their paths.

Current Muni Display

I’ve thought about ways to improve the design and created the following (click on the thumbnail for the full image):

The design not only indicates the sequence of trains, but also indicates the time it will take for trains to arrive (MUNI currently displays arrival times for individual trains at nextmuni.com). As a seasoned rider, I care more about the time it takes for my train to arrive than I do about the sequence of the trains. Since what is displayed is the section of the trains’ shared paths downtown, I would also be interested in seeing the estimated time it would take to get to stops past downtown, especially if I am a tourist (see note #5).

My recommendations as called out in the design are to:

1) Indicate the station both by adding a title and by highlighting the station within the train path

2) Display the station full name for people not familiar with the abbreviations

3) Indicate the directions of the train (inbound and outbound) through labels and arrows. In addition, only show trains about to arrive at that station. Passengers aren’t interested in seeing trains getting to stations that are past their station. Increase contrast by muting the actual path background and highlighting train shapes with color.

4) Make it easy for people to discern trains by increasing font size as well as adding shapes and color.

5) How many times have I been approached by an out-of-towner wondering if the N-Judah train will go to Ocean Beach and how long will it take? I have sometimes wondered the same question myself. What would be a great nice-to-have (even if it could not be real-time) would be a scrolling display that indicated how long it would take to get from the current station to other outbound (and inbound) stops.

6) Of course, place a legend that indicates symbols and colors in a prominent place so that passengers can interpret the design.

Now if only I can figure out a way to make my commute shorter….