I encountered a couple of accessible information maps in Wolverhampton.
The tactile and high contrast map of the railway station and the audio-tactile map of the bus station next door.
There are always service design issues with these kind of maps. Having made many of them, I think I find that that they funded and installed more as icons of accessibility rather than actual wayfinding utility. They represent the idea of One Map To Rule Them All and I’m fairly sure that is bad.
When? (Part 1)
The kind of map offered here is more something that is useful to read and understand prior to arrival. This is part of the cognitive issue that there are two phases of human navigation and integration of wayfinding information. The Before and The During. These maps contain vastly too much information to find and sort During. They offer a lot of benefit Before though.
When? (Part 2)
The second When is also a temporal point in terms of how long does it take to read an accessible map? That is hard to state as it is perception: with both sensory capacity and cognitive capacity working. Generally, I don’t think I’ve encountered a public transport hub tactile map that can be read by an individual in less than 20 mins (unless the already know the place and the symbol set).
What?
There is difference between maps of spaces and maps for wayfinding places. The value demanded is different. A map of a space can be detailed and generalised. Let the reader explore and discover what they are interested in. Perhaps they will discover something they had not considered. Meanwhile a wayfinding map of place enables a person to do the key thing they want and find the facilities that support their personal comfort.
These maps are maps of spaces trying to be wayfinding maps of places. There is so much information. So much data that is irrelevant to the journey any individual traveller is making. How can they find utility in the totality?
Maybe something different?
I know maps like this are requested by users and supported by charities but, having both made and tested them, I am wary of them.
Providing information in alternative formats is important.
Providing tactile maps can really help some people build coherent cognitive maps.
Providing information at the entrance to a new place is useful.
However, big tactile maps may not be the best option.
There is more value in making smaller things and in training staff.