Sent in by Edward Russell, who says:

Possible base for new Denver rail map? I spotted this map showing the new rail lines opening in Denver in 2016 on the train. I like the design a lot more than the official rail map. It seems much cleaner and clearer then the other maps that you have shown. What do you think? Could this be a good base – clearly they’d have to add the existing lines to it – for the new map in 2016?

Transit Maps says:

I don’t think so, Edward, although you’re right in saying that it’s generally more attractive than RTD’s usual efforts. To me, this looks more like a piece of promotional artwork that ties in nicely with the corresponding informational web page. There’s some nice typography as well, with the ever-pleasant Proxima Nova being deployed, just as it is on RTD’s website and other materials.

However, I don’t think that this map could ever be developed into a new full system map without a lot of reworking. The neatly arranged route letters – like the notes of a musical scale! – along the main light rail trunk line would get in the way of any stations for a start. The compression of the entire downtown loop into one big grey blob is also a problem that would have to be overcome. Then there’s the awful acute angle that the W Line takes as it heads out to Golden…

I do see some potential here – this map is drawn much more precisely than the official one – and I really, really do hope that RTD is looking at completely revamping their rail map as all these Fastracks projects come online this year… but I’m not holding my breath!