Submitted by Cédric, who says:
I got interested in a historical map of the Moscow Metro featured on this site some time ago (November 2012, 4 stars). The radical simplicity of the visual language, using only straight lines and circles, gives a unique quality to the map, both in its high legibility and evocative power.
Realizing that it would be geometrically impossible to recreate this design to fit today’s expanded Moscow metro network, I started to apply a similar design language to a series of metro systems around the world, selected for the intermediate complexity of their network, allowing for a compact and unique-looking map, yet somehow challenging design-wise.
Building upon the original map of Moscow, I tried out ways to display additional layers of information: branching lines, route numbers, and interchanges to other public transit networks.
Transit Maps says:
This is a great little project, Cédric! I have to admit that I’m a little surprised at how well this style adapts to all the different networks, though Munich is probably pushing it to the absolute limits of what it can achieve. As you rightly say, this technique really works best on networks of “intermediate complexity”.
Of all the examples you’ve shown, I think Milan is my favourite: a series of similar interlocking arcs all connected by the straight line axis of Line 3… wonderful! Montreal is also quite lovely, although I could imagine that people who live there could take issue with the representation of “north”, which they generally take as meaning “away from the river”.
Our final word: Great work all around, and I look forward to more diagrams made in the same style in the future!
You rang? 😀
To be honest, since this map is so different and in such a unique style, I found it quite fascinating and was not at all concerned with the “North” question. What *did* bother me, however, is the Blue line. I’d much prefer if it was angled in the same direction (if not the exact same angle) as the Green line. Having it head off in an obtuse angle rather than parallel or even slightly acute, just feels wrong to me.
Also, I have to mention Line 4 being pink instead of yellow (though I get it, it’s the style, and Yellow would be hard to read here).
Lastly, a small error: the orange “Vaudreuil” label should not be on the map at all, it’s not a metro station; it’s a destination on one of the commuter rail lines.
Still, overall it’s a very interesting experiment! St. Petersburg is maybe my favourite; I recognized it right away!
These are great! I lived in Montreal for a few years and thought the “local north” issue was bizarre, as what they call “north” is closer to being west. If locals were being called upon to actually adopt this map, I think there would be some resistance due to the change in orientation. But I think it’s beautiful. I would LOVE to see Cédric update it for the upcoming REM line which would loop beautifully through Bonaventure, McGill, and Edouard-Montpetit and then make a grand sweep off to the west. (It replaces the commuter rail line he has labelled D on his map.) I’m going to be very interested to see the STCUM handles that on the official map – and they just announced a second line off to the east – AND the mayor just announced a streetcar line running west, south of the green line. Exciting times for Montreal mapmakers!