UK's first integrated wayfinding system to be launched in Sheffield » Local Government » 24dash.com

Connect Sheffield, the UK’s first integrated wayfinding system, linking public and private transport and pedestrian information in one easy to understand format, is being launched in the city centre today.

The £5 million project addresses all modes of travel, however the first phase focuses on pedestrians and bus and tram passengers in the city centre.

The scheme serves to improve walking within the pedestrian dominated City Centre and ensure that people can navigate themselves easily to their destination or the adjoining area of the city.

Councillor Jan Wilson, Leader of Sheffield City Council, said: “Connect Sheffield in a unique project and leading the way for integrated transport information systems across the UK.

"It provides legible, accurate, frequent and consistent travel information for visitors to our City Centre and it’s growing residential population.
"Once the whole scheme has been introduced we will have a fully integrated system in Sheffield to aid people using all modes of transport. We want to ensure people have real travel choice for everyone.”

Connect Sheffield was born out of the Transport Masterplan for Sheffield City Centre, approved in 2003 whose overall vision was to link leisure, retail, business and cultural facilities across the City Centre with an integrated transport system.

The pedestrian system consists of a series of Pedestrian Information Points (PIPs) located at regular intervals along the main pedestrian routes around the City Centre. They have been carefully designed to be useful to be useable including partially sighted and wheelchair users.

Each PIP follows a common format and style giving consistent information to include:

· Destination reached and quarter of the city the user is in. For example: Tudor Square - Heart of the City.

· A detailed location map of the immediate area in a ‘heads up’ format to assist orientation.

· For those who can not read maps, a panoramic photograph of the area immediately beyond the sign.

· A smaller illustration of the city centre map showing where you are in the city.

· Interesting facts about the history and names associated with that area which will enrich the walking experience around the city.

New ‘Connect’ style bus shelters and ‘flags’ are also being introduced as part of the scheme, providing integration and a maintained identity throughout the City Centre.

The improved bus and tram information includes:

· Bus stop identifiers

· Destination finders

· Network/ route maps

· Timetable information and details about the first and last buses from the stop

· Real time at selected sites

PIPs, flags and shelters have been designed as a ‘family’ all using common graphics, maps and a sleek easy to maintain stainless steel finish.

The first tranche is being introduced this autumn, with the aim of covering the whole City Centre including the Western Bank university/ hospitals area.

David Young, Head of Transport Integration at the Transport Executive, said: “Connect Sheffield aims to provide easy-to-understand information which will help thousands of people get around the city centre each week, whether that’s local people, or visitors who have never been to the city before.

"The high quality, easy to follow information will benefit pedestrians, bus, tram, and train passengers and car drivers. The new information tells passengers everything they need to know about using public transport in Sheffield.”

The new shelters have been developed especially for the City Centre. They are a modern, stainless steel design and are more open and spacious in appearance.

They are also longer to help protect passengers from natural elements such as rain and wind. The area around the bus stop will also be improved with tactile paving to make getting on a bus easier.

The information gives details of how often buses and trams run, where they run to and at a number of selected stops there will be displays giving actual departure times.

Further phases of ‘Connect Sheffield’ now in the pipeline will incorporate a Variable Messaging System (VMS) giving information on available car parking spaces and other advice.

Motorists will be directed away from congestion and alerted to possible issues further down the highway, therefore increasing the efficiency of the transport system within Sheffield.

The ‘Connect Sheffield’ maps will also be available in web and paper form.

The main partners for ‘Connect Sheffield’ are Sheffield City Council, Transport Executive, University of Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University and a number of developers.

Funding has been sourced from the partners, Objective 1 European funding, private developer funding and LTP funds. No funds have been allocated from Council Tax.

Further phases will be rolled out in line with major development projects such as the New Retail Quarter and the new Moor developments.