2022 - 2023
Blacksburg Transit, or simply BT, is a local government-owned urban-suburban bus line based in Blacksburg, Virginia. Beginning as a class transportation project in Fall 2022, I proposed new sign designs that were more user friendly. BT saw my group's presentation and offered an independent study during the Spring 2023 semester to work on the sign redesign. Myself and Brooke Dirom agreed to do the independent study. We worked with Fiona Rhodes and Ken Tucker from Blacksburg Transit.
Bus Stop Sign Redesign
These are the original permanent and alternating signs.
We determined that the current sign is overwhelming with information and lacks visual hierarchy. We decided to split the information into two signs. One to replace the current permanent metal sign, and one to replace the paper sign that alternates due to calendar and stop changes.
design objectives:
-Make it easily identifiable as a bus stop. Current signage is not – unless you know what BT stands for.
-Research industry standards for size and number of colors to use. Using a standard size keeps the cost relatively low; colors are usually another variable two color vs four color has the potential to impact cost.
Permanent signs At the end of the Independent study
After working with them for the semester, we had narrowed down the potential designs down to 3 permanent sign candidates. All of these were my designs. They liked BT logo and the bus image, they just wanted it switched. They also liked the bus stop number and information contacts arranged like on the bottom left.
Alternating signs At the end of the Independent study
Credit: Design on the left is Brooke Dirom's.
Ken spoke with the director of BT, Brian Booth, who suggested that we try a few iterations that remove the route codes from the permanent sign, since the route codes may change over time. This meant we could shrink the permanent sign, and make the alternating sign bigger.
They offered me a summer internship opportunity to continue this project, as well as join in on other projects, and I happily accepted.
Permanent sign final options
After several more iterations, it came down to these three. Fiona Rhodes, Ken Tucker, and Brian Booth selected the option on the right.
Alternating sign Final Options
I came up with the condensed calendar design to create space in the sign for the route codes that tell the user what bus comes to this stop, and it is color coordinated with the app. Fiona Rhodes, Ken Tucker, and Brian Booth selected the design on the right to go into production.
The Final Signs
The alternating sign went into production and has been posted to the stops. The permanent sign is still in the process of getting approved by the town.
Christiansburg BT Alternating Sign
After doing the alternating signs in Blacksburg for Blacksburg Transit, they asked me to redesign the signs for the nearby town, Christiansburg, where they also run bus service. They requested it to look like the new Blacksburg alternating sign.
