When multiple route map designs are used by the same bus company

Abstract This paper reports three separate studies. Study 1 consisted of route map observations; study 2 looked at map creator’s perspective, and study 3 considered user research and route map usage. It was observed that the route maps issued by one bus service provider in Fukuoka, Japan, have as many as 24 types of design variations. According to the route map creators, limited resources was the main reason for this practice. Route map usability testing, keyword sorting and interviews were conducted as part of a user-focused research. Map-reading tests revealed several practices that have a negative impact on user’s ability to read route maps, and the user research revealed that users prefer a unified design.