Cartography deep mapping is a comprehensive approach to mapping that extends on traditional cartography methods. Traditional cartography focuses on geographical accuracy, depicting physical features like mountains, rivers, and roads. In contrast, deep mapping involves a more holistic exploration of a place, integrating not only its physical layout but also its cultural, historical, social, and experiential aspects by building an abstractive view to understand the location.

 

We gathered various images to represent the different ways users would interact with the  London public transportation methods including buses, trains, bikes, and black cabs. From applying the deep mapping analysis, we found that the strategic use of colour was a key insight. It revealed an approach to the application of colour to enhance both form and function.

 

A key finding is the use of consistent colour messaging across all the services. This consistent use helps create a cohesive visual language that is easily recognisable and navigable for both residents and visitors. These colour schemes play a critical role in how the users interact with and understand the transport system.

 

The use of dark and muted tones in conjunction with bold colours is commonly used across urban public transport structures (for example station entrances, bike docks, and bus stops). This combination creates visual landmarks that are highly recognisable and congruent with the urban landscape. The bold colours stand out, guiding passengers seamlessly, while the muted tones ensure that these visual cues blend into the surroundings, maintaining the city's visual integrity.

 

Deep Mapping analysis also highlights the micro-branding within the London Underground. Each line is identified by a specific colour (e.g. Central line in red, Jubilee line in grey, Piccadilly line in blue), making navigation intuitive. This colour coding becomes part of London’s transport identity and aids memory and recognition of services when navigating across platforms and reading the tube maps.

 

Yellow emerges as an important colour in our findings for informing the users. Across various services, yellow signifies points of interaction and caution. For example, yellow is used to indicate areas passengers frequently touch, suggesting these are points of structural integrity. Yellow naturally draws attention and is universally associated with caution and alertness. For example, the yellow lines on platform edges in the London Underground, serve as a warning to promote safety. This use of yellow links to biological triggers, akin to the aposematic colouring seen in nature (e.g. wasps and bees).

 

Accessibility is enhanced through bright/contrasting colours aiding individuals with visual impairments and consistent colouring of disability signs in blue. Many of these signs possess a high contrast ratio between iconography/text and background so those with visual impairment are still able to read signs if they cannot differentiate between colours.

 

Furthermore, colour is pivotal in the marketing and brand identity of London’s transport services. Distinctive palettes associated with different modes of transport contribute to a recognisable brand identity, crucial for a global city like London.

 

In conclusion, our Deep Mapping study underscores the strategic use of colour in London's public transport system, demonstrating that colour is not a design element but an important component of functional communication. It enhances safety, visibility, and navigation across the network by combining visual cues with practical utility. This blend of practicality, aesthetics, and psychological insight goes beyond simple navigation, impacting every aspect of the commuter experience. It emphasises a balance of design and functionality, creating an efficient, inclusive, and aesthetically pleasing urban transport environment.