I am in a real need of some seriously fast help in regards to downtown Cincinnati and "wayfinding".  Without getting into the details, the Downtown Residents Council needed some quick ideas for specific projects for our neighborhood.  I recommended improved "wayfinding" (if that's the correct term) since there is little in the way of directions downtown except for seriously outdated skywalk maps and street signage designed for cars.

 

Does anyone out there have links to information regarding this subject?  Would anyone mind helping putting together some information for a proposal?  I only have a couple of days to put together a draft and until Sunday night to submit it for review to a committee.

 

Sorry about the rushed requests.  Trust me, I had no idea this was even something I would need to do until tonight and the deadlines are out of my hands.

email Randy Simes, I think he already has something

email Randy Simes, I think he already has something

 

Thank you!  Just sent an email begging for some guidance :).

Attached is a map (only 2/3 complete) of wayfinding for vehicles (V in yellow), skywalk (S in red) and pedestrians (P in green and PM in green if a map is included) in Cincinnati's Business District.  I will post additional information that will be included in my proposal to the city later tonight.  Any thoughts?

 

<old photo removed>

Final project proposal:

I did this in three days between family stuff over Easter weekend, so please be kind. Thanks Randy for the help!

 

Current concern: There is currently a lack of pedestrian wayfinding.

Proposal: 1) Create a comprehensive plan to improve pedestrian wayfinding, 2) correct existing signage (particularly around the outdated skywalk maps), 3) phase in implementation of improved/additional signage, and 4) implement an annual review of signs to repair, correct, improve signage.

 

Wayfinding as defined for this request: Signage, maps and graphics used to communicate directions to districts, major venues, points of interest, etc... to travelers.

 

Proposal Details:

As evidenced in the attached downtown map of existing wayfinding points, the vast majority of wayfinding is intended for vehicles (also including some tremendously outdated skywalk maps). Lack of pedestrian signage causes frustration and confusion for visitors. There are wayfinding programs in other cities based on scientific studies that have been proven tremendously successful (two such programs with online information include “Legible London” and “Walk!Philadelphia), While such programs do involve a decent up front cost and ongoing costs to maintain the signage, a strategic phased in approach could reap a great amount of benefits particularly with the increased convention business.

 

Resources:

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/microsites/legible-london/

Walk!Philadelphia

 

 

95% streets mapped from Central Parkway to 3rd Street and Central to Broadway - assumed 90% accuracy

S (red) - skywalk wayfinding

V (yellow) - vehicle wayfinding

P (green) - pedestrian wayfinding

PM (green) - pedestrian wayfinding with map

 

Note: Vehicle wayfinding is pretty well covered, but pedestrian wayfinding is limited to south of 3rd street.

 

Map modified from CAGIS by me.

Sketch courtesy of Randy Simes.

It was just pointed out to me that there are now some pedestrian wayfinding maps being put up all over the Central Business District.  After stepping out of Mayberry from dinner I quickly found two of them along Vine attached to light poles.  While they were small and relatively basic, it is still a tremendous improvement.  While I doubt the Downtown Residents Council proposal submitted two weeks ago was the reason it was done, maybe it helped light the fire.

Basic, but much needed. I liked the ones they installed along Vine and Main streets, yet they are absent on Elm and Walnut. New automobile signage along Reading Road and in the West End has been installed for Over-the-Rhine as well.

Photos of the new signs including one with Vanna "XUMelanie" White.

Does that say "Historic Midtown District"? What is that?

Court Street. Which I've never heard referred to as.