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Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about the toolkit. Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Please contact us and we will help you.
Clutter Will a National System mean a lot more signs and a lot more clutter on our streets?
Yes and no. Clutter is defined as signs and information that do not perform a function. This system is designed to be the minimum possible and yet 100% effective. Anything redundant will be removed.
Wayfinding is a luxury Isn’t it better to invest in the infrastructure first?
A coordinated agreed method of communicating routes and behaviors is central to creating an effective integrated, balanced transport system. Isolated infrastructure improvements do not create a usable network.
Isn’t this all in TSRGD? What do the DFT’s Road guidelines say about walking and cycling?
TSRGD is excellent and focused on road users. It does define how road signs should display cycling. TSRGD does not cover, in any great detail, what happens on pathways.
Lacks robust proof? What proof is there that these kind of measures have any impact at all?
There are many UK and International studies that show that soft infrastructure is effective and significantly higher value for money. London’s walking system has increased walking by 5%.
Will it take too long? Putting in a new system must take many years. Will the efforts fizzle out?
A National standard can be implemented within five years. The idea is to enable all local authorities to implement a high-quality consistent standard.
Boiling the ocean? Isn’t this just too big a challenge that it will never happen?
This is a big challenge. It is an issue that has been tackled locally multiple times rather than tackled once allowing everyone to benefit from a high-quality method. National systems have to start somewhere, and there are examples where they have been successful.
Why do we need signs, we have mobile phones? When all the information we need is on our phones, are signs not obsolete?
Research shows how useful a mobile device can be, it also shows that a lot of people do not rely on them when walking and cycling. Secondly, even if a route is planned digitally there is a need for confirmation and awareness. Road signs do not look like they will disappear soon.
What about local character Isn’t a National system making the whole country the same? Losing the essential character of places?
This is an important consideration. Pathways are invariably used for local journeys so systems can be more localised. This will be designed into the system, which will make logical parts of the system consistent and allow local character and community input.
Will it cost too much? The idea that information can be signposted throughout the country has to be very expensive and unaffordable?
It is all relative. The cost of some infrastructure projects is astronomical, yet their contribution to a network is
understood. This is the same. Estimation of cost is that a National roll-out will cost less that one major junction improvement on the A1.
understood. This is the same. Estimation of cost is that a National roll-out will cost less that one major junction improvement on the A1.
Still have questions?
Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Please contact us and we will help you.
Download the Toolkit
Tools and recommendations to design and implement effective wayfinding systems for walking, wheeling and cycling that can be used by everyone.
