Submitted by Ryan VanSickle and Christian Hurst. Ryan says:
I’d like to submit the official proposed BaltimoreLINK system map. In addition to its frequency mapping and radial design (something I haven’t seen much in official maps from transit agencies), it’s got a few features that indicate a sense of humor – monsters in Chesapeake Bay, and Lil’ Linky the advice bus. There’s no elaborate compass rose to match the tallship and giant octopus, though.
The radial design seems to reflect an emphasis on new connections that don’t require travel downtown. The proposed bus network redesign is portrayed using a few methods – color-coded CityLink routes (new frequent limited-stop services), and thicknesses/hashing on other routes to indicate frequency. Interestingly, the light rail and Metro Subway lines have been somewhat de-emphasized to thinner black lines and left out of the frequency mapping.
Transit Maps says:
Frustratingly, this diagram is only available on the project website as a medium-resolution JPG, and much of the type and detail is therefore too small to be easily legible. While I understand that this is just a draft diagram and is subject to change, it’s disappointing that a zoomable format like a PDF hasn’t been used.
As it is, much of the workings of the proposed network remain a mystery to me, though it can be determined that the thick, brightly-coloured routes are frequent CityLink buses running from the suburbs to downtown, supported by radial LocalLink routes, shown in grey. There are also Express BusLink services, which provide limited stop service to downtown as well as making an express ring around the periphery of the city. More on the proposed network here.
What’s really noticeable about this diagram its hybrid nature – a rigid street grid in the core, but a radial diagram in the outlying areas. The transition between the two styles is actually handled very deftly, and there’s still a good natural flow between the two. I also quite like the large airplane denoting the BWI branch of Baltimore’s light rail system: an instant visual indicator of the line’s destination. It looks quite dynamic, almost rocketing off the bottom of the page.
I’m less enamoured with the sea monster in the bay: a quixotic touch that seems a little out of place on such a modern-looking diagram. Almost venturing into “Here be Dragons” territory…
Our rating: Overall, this looks quite promising, although it’s hard to tell for sure without being able to read the legend properly. A tentative three stars at present.
Source: Maryland MTA website
