In station information, the lack thereof and the quality thereof

Colm Donoghue · 30-03-2006, 11:17

I just thought it'd be an idea to collate all our gripes regarding static information displays, after seeing the south electronic display on Platform1 in Pearse hidden behind a sign for... Platform1 in Pearse.

I'll add:

no platform signs on the south of the northbound platform in Killester, if you're at the back of a train, you won't know what station it is (until you leave the station)

platform signs too high to be seen by standing customers

any other station information gripes feel free to add to the list.

Thomas J Stamp · 06-04-2006, 09:33

Killester is strainge in that whenever I get off the DART there I always get lost when leaving the station!! I heard that they were to move the station lock stock and barrell to where the car park is on Collins Avenue, has anyone else heard of this?

And yes, I have noticed that there are a lack of signs going down the northbound platform telling you where you are.

markpb · 06-04-2006, 09:49

I can't find any photos now but LA and a lot of other cities have a strip running all the way along both side walls, like this:

>>> Station Name >>> Direction/Terminus >>>

showing you the current station, the direction of the train and (by arrows) the direction you need to go to exit the station. As soon as you get off the train, you know which way to walk. It's only a simple thing but it makes life much easier and, in busy stations, much faster.

James Shields · 06-04-2006, 16:34

Signs have improved, but it can still be really hard to tell which station you are in in some places. There needs to be a sign visible from every door of a train. This is especially important since under the new cream and grey colour scheme a lot of stations that were distinct now look the same. For example, you used to be able to tell Killester and Harmonstown apart because Killester had yellow walls and Harmonstown was green. Not that you can expect tourists to know that.

I also think exit signs are a problem in many stations. When they're quiet it's easy to just follow the crowd, but when it's busy it can be really hard to know which way to go. I'd like to see exit signs at similar regularity to the station name signs.

I like the idea of a continuous strip of information along the walls. Obviously this is only practical in stations which have walls of sufficient height.

I think the London Underground does this quite effectively, although it uses "Way out" rather then the international exit symbol. In many stations they will have a continuous strip showing which way to go for the exit, plus colour coded directions for other lines.

Mark Gleeson · 07-04-2006, 23:13

Here are a few a classic ones

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markpb · 09-04-2006, 15:09

I got off the train in Kilbarrack station for the first time yesterday and I wasn't sure what station it was until I was off the station. We were on the last carriage of a 6 unit set (I think) and the nearest sign with the station name was no-where near my carriage. Of course the internal displays were off and the were no audio annoucements at all.

30-03-2006, 11:17	#1
Colm Donoghue Really Regular Poster Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 873	In station information, the lack thereof and the quality thereof I just thought it'd be an idea to collate all our gripes regarding static information displays, after seeing the south electronic display on Platform1 in Pearse hidden behind a sign for... Platform1 in Pearse. I'll add: no platform signs on the south of the northbound platform in Killester, if you're at the back of a train, you won't know what station it is (until you leave the station) platform signs too high to be seen by standing customers any other station information gripes feel free to add to the list.

07-04-2006, 23:13	#5
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	Here are a few a classic ones Last edited by Mark Gleeson : 07-04-2006 at 23:33.

09-04-2006, 15:09	#6
markpb Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 541	Kilbarrack I got off the train in Kilbarrack station for the first time yesterday and I wasn't sure what station it was until I was off the station. We were on the last carriage of a 6 unit set (I think) and the nearest sign with the station name was no-where near my carriage. Of course the internal displays were off and the were no audio annoucements at all.

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06-04-2006, 09:33	#2
Thomas J Stamp Chairman/Publicity Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: The Home of Hurling Posts: 2,708	Killester is strainge in that whenever I get off the DART there I always get lost when leaving the station!! I heard that they were to move the station lock stock and barrell to where the car park is on Collins Avenue, has anyone else heard of this? And yes, I have noticed that there are a lack of signs going down the northbound platform telling you where you are.

06-04-2006, 09:49	#3
markpb Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 541	I can't find any photos now but LA and a lot of other cities have a strip running all the way along both side walls, like this: >>> Station Name >>> Direction/Terminus >>> showing you the current station, the direction of the train and (by arrows) the direction you need to go to exit the station. As soon as you get off the train, you know which way to walk. It's only a simple thing but it makes life much easier and, in busy stations, much faster.

06-04-2006, 16:34	#4
James Shields Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Drogheda, Ireland Posts: 1,275	Signs have improved, but it can still be really hard to tell which station you are in in some places. There needs to be a sign visible from every door of a train. This is especially important since under the new cream and grey colour scheme a lot of stations that were distinct now look the same. For example, you used to be able to tell Killester and Harmonstown apart because Killester had yellow walls and Harmonstown was green. Not that you can expect tourists to know that. I also think exit signs are a problem in many stations. When they're quiet it's easy to just follow the crowd, but when it's busy it can be really hard to know which way to go. I'd like to see exit signs at similar regularity to the station name signs. I like the idea of a continuous strip of information along the walls. Obviously this is only practical in stations which have walls of sufficient height. I think the London Underground does this quite effectively, although it uses "Way out" rather then the international exit symbol. In many stations they will have a continuous strip showing which way to go for the exit, plus colour coded directions for other lines.