I’ve had quite a few requests for this one and I’ve been meaning to write about it for quite a while, so here goes! This one’s definitely worth presenting as a before/after comparison – the new 2022 diagram above compared to the previous 2021 below:
It’s no secret that I’ve been somewhat skeptical of radial diagrams in the past – seeing them as perhaps a little too flashy for their own good and often being applied to cities where the topology simply doesn’t suit such an arrangement – so it’s fantastic to see one that works really, really well. Cologne is a very radial city, with major roads radiating out from the central core and mainline trains from the south having to loop around much of the western half of the city to get to the Hauptbahnhof, so the choice of a radial diagram is very appropriate.
The new diagram also executed superbly, with a great sense of balance and clarity to it. It definitely seems less cluttered than the previous version, even though it shows the same information. Intelligent choices have been made where the lines can’t fit into the radial scheme and very little feels forced or out of place. The one bit that doesn’t quite ring true to me is the placement of the Messe/Deutz station, which in real life is a straight shot across the Hohenzollern Bridge from the Haupthahnhof. However, within the limitations imposed by the radial structure, it works well enough.
The decision to remove the blobby fare zone boundary and replace it with subtle dashed tarifgrenze markers along each line is inspired and immediately makes the new diagram feel lighter and more spacious without the drab grey background surrounding the central part of the diagram.
Also of note is that this diagram calls out stations that are not accessible with a struck-through wheelchair icon, reversing the normal method of denoting accessible stations with an icon (as seen on the 2021 map). This is something that’s a point of contention in transit map design, with some designers saying that it’s a bad design practice to use an icon that shows a lack of something. However, you can’t deny that it makes the map so much cleaner when there’s only a few stations that don’t provide barrier-free access like here!
Finally, it’s interesting to note that while the design agency is the same for both diagrams – Die Informationsdesigner, based in Cologne – the new map gives credit to Benedikt Schmitz, who designed an award-winning radial map of Cologne as part of his bachelor’s thesis at the Cologne International School of Design in 2018. His design definitely forms the backbone of the new official map, so it’s great to see his contribution be officially recognised.
Our final word: Probably the best radial transit diagram that I’ve seen so far. It shows that this design style can be used for a real-world application when the style suits the city that it’s being used for.
Hey everyone! The large-format inkjet printer that I use to make maps has broken down, and I’m buying a brand-new one to replace it. While I can cover the cost of replacement, any assistance – even just a few dollars – would still be a massive help. If you’ve ever purchased a map, or read and enjoyed the blog, please consider making a small donation!
Source: Die Informationsdesigner website
The default should be barrier-free access, even if that’s more aspirational than operational (I’m looking at you NYCT … and so many others …) so marking the “sore points” serves a social purpose beyond navigation. Besides, those stations are closed for some passengers and that should be noted.
The old map is driving me crazy trying to figure out why some stations are marked with a U or S and others aren’t. The key does not say.
Actually, it is on the key.
I lived in Cologne for six months 25 years ago and looked at the prior iterations of the old map on an almost daily basis. I am loving the fresh, new design, which works especially well given its two ring corridors and major streets that radiate from its downtown! 🙂