ATM Maps Redesign
ATM Maps Redesign
ATM Maps Redesign
Overview
Overview
Public Transport
Public Transport
User-Centric Design
User-Centric Design
Map Redesign
Map Redesign
A redesign of Milan's surface transport visual identity and wayfinding system, aimed at making local navigation intuitive, consistent, and user-friendly.
Context
Politecnico di Milano
Politecnico di Milano
Year
2024
Discipline
Graphic Design
Navigating Milan, made effortless.
Navigating Milan, made effortless.
Navigating Milan, made effortless.
Challenge
Navigating Milan’s surface transport network is often a frustrating and confusing experience. Current bus and tram maps are outdated, visually crowded, and difficult to interpret at a glance. User research and surveys highlighted a recurring pattern: non-locals and visitors find the surface system intimidating and actively avoid it, relying almost exclusively on the metro, which offers a much clearer visual identity. The core ambition of this project was to bridge that gap by completely rethinking ATM’s surface transit communication, creating an intuitive, modern cartographic system that makes riding buses and trams as seamless and accessible as taking the underground.
Challenge
Navigating Milan’s surface transport network is often a frustrating and confusing experience. Current bus and tram maps are outdated, visually crowded, and difficult to interpret at a glance. User research and surveys highlighted a recurring pattern: non-locals and visitors find the surface system intimidating and actively avoid it, relying almost exclusively on the metro, which offers a much clearer visual identity. The core ambition of this project was to bridge that gap by completely rethinking ATM’s surface transit communication, creating an intuitive, modern cartographic system that makes riding buses and trams as seamless and accessible as taking the underground.
Zoom in!
Zoom in!
Result
To address these challenges, the project introduces a distinct visual identity for buses and trams, which previously shared an identical, generic design despite being fundamental and different modes of transport. The new visual system features both horizontal and vertical route maps tailored to each vehicle type, accompanied by redesigned, easy-to-read timetables. The centerpiece of the redesign is the Neighborhood Map, a large-format cartographic panel designed for major bus and tram shelters, space that was previously left underutilized. This comprehensive map allows commuters to effortlessly orient themselves within the local area and discover all available surface connections at a single glance.
To address these challenges, the project introduces a distinct visual identity for buses and trams, which previously shared an identical, generic design despite being fundamental and different modes of transport. The new visual system features both horizontal and vertical route maps tailored to each vehicle type, accompanied by redesigned, easy-to-read timetables. The centerpiece of the redesign is the Neighborhood Map, a large-format cartographic panel designed for major bus and tram shelters, space that was previously left underutilized. This comprehensive map allows commuters to effortlessly orient themselves within the local area and discover all available surface connections at a single glance.
Three Distinct Identities
Three Distinct Identities
Three Distinct Identities
The Tram Identity
Trams are a historical symbol of Milan, defined by their classic ochre color. Being faster than buses, they deserve a higher status in the transit hierarchy. The new symbol, a "T" inside a rounded square, nods to the iconic metro "M", positioning the tram as a rapid above-ground alternative. To ensure full accessibility for colorblind users, this rounded rectangular shape is applied across all tram-related graphics, making the mode instantly recognizable by form alone.
The Tram Identity
Trams are a historical symbol of Milan, defined by their classic ochre color. Being faster than buses, they deserve a higher status in the transit hierarchy. The new symbol, a "T" inside a rounded square, nods to the iconic metro "M", positioning the tram as a rapid above-ground alternative. To ensure full accessibility for colorblind users, this rounded rectangular shape is applied across all tram-related graphics, making the mode instantly recognizable by form alone.
Tram Route Map
Tram Route Map
Zoom in!
Tram Route Map
Zoom in!
Tram Timetable
Tram Timetable
Zoom in!
Tram Timetable
Zoom in!
The Bus Identity
Buses are represented by a "B" inside a green circle. Green creates a strong contrast with the tram ochre and reflects ATM's shift toward electric fleets. All bus graphics consistently use circular shapes, ensuring the mode is instantly recognizable at a glance for everyone while remaining fully accessible for colorblind passengers.
The Bus Identity
Buses are represented by a "B" inside a green circle. Green creates a strong contrast with the tram ochre and reflects ATM's shift toward electric fleets. All bus graphics consistently use circular shapes, ensuring the mode is instantly recognizable at a glance for everyone while remaining fully accessible for colorblind passengers.
Bus Route Map
Bus Route Map
Zoom in!
Bus Route Map
Zoom in!
Bus Timetable
Bus Timetable
Zoom in!
Bus Timetable
Zoom in!
The Neighborhood Map
The Neighborhood Map
Placed at major shelters, the Neighborhood Map helps commuters immediately understand the area's full transport offering. It displays all nearby bus, tram, and metro lines along with every local stop, showing passengers exactly where to board each line to reach their destination. To make navigation even simpler, all available routes and stops are summarized in a dedicated table on the right side of the panel.
The Neighborhood Map
Placed at major shelters, the Neighborhood Map helps commuters immediately understand the area's full transport offering. It displays all nearby bus, tram, and metro lines along with every local stop, showing passengers exactly where to board each line to reach their destination. To make navigation even simpler, all available routes and stops are summarized in a dedicated table on the right side of the panel.
Zoom in!
Zoom in!
How to Use the Map
Find Your Destination: Locate where you want to go on the map to identify the line and terminal direction.
Check the Stop List: Look at the table next to the terminals to see which local stops serve your line.
Locate the Nearest Stop: Use the central map to pinpoint the closest boarding stop to your current location.
How to Use the Map
Find Your Destination: Locate where you want to go on the map to identify the line and terminal direction.
Check the Stop List: Look at the table next to the terminals to see which local stops serve your line.
Locate the Nearest Stop: Use the central map to pinpoint the closest boarding stop to your current location.
Whether you have a project in mind, a question, or just want to say hi, feel free to reach out!
© Crafted in Framer by Andrea Contrafatto
Milan, Italy