I’m loving this interactive map by Oliver O’Brien that uses entry and exit data direct from TfL to build a picture of how the Tube across the course of a typical day – with around 5 million rides or so. (The data doesn’t yet include the newly-introduced Night Tube, so things wrap up as the last “day” trains finish their journeys at the moment.) 

Watching the day progress is mesmerising enough – especially the flow during the two major peak periods – but you can also drill down to see detailed information for individual stations, which is kind of amazing. Interestingly, while the map uses a heartbeat as a metaphor for the flow, I almost see it as breathing: inhaling (inbound) for the morning peak, and exhaling (outbound) in the evening. Either metaphor works to describe how vital the Tube is in making London a living city. This is really lovely work by Oliver, and definitely worthy of detailed perusal! 

Go explore by clicking here.