1. Spider Maps: Summary of Best Practices and Guide to Design
Prepared by:
Margaret Carragher & Wenwen Zhang

2. Overview of Presentation
What is a Spider Map?
Project Purpose
Who has Spider Maps & What Makes them Effective?
GIS Spider Map Production
Spider Map Web Application
Further Spider Map Applications and Design Recommendations

3. What is a Spider Map?
A spider map is a schematic diagram of transit options serving a particular locality
Spider Maps have evolved to include places walkable from location.

4. Project Purpose Evaluate what makes Spider Maps Effective
Apply Spider Maps to MARTA
Automate the creation of paper Spider Maps for MARTA
Create web application for MARTA Station Spider Maps
Provide recommendations for Spider Map design

5. Spider Maps for MARTA Shown interest Area map for Five Points Station
Feeder bus system is good for Spider Maps

6. LONDON Schematic Service period Connections to subway
Amount of Spider Maps
No headways
No service times
No references to orient riders using the schematic map
The first spider maps were produced by ??? In London. These maps are at all bus terminals. The include the service period, such as “Day” or “”, but not what those hours are. Additionally, these maps show the connectivity to the train system and the accessibility to the buses.
Some things that make these maps difficult to read is the fact that the headways are not included and how the map is schematic. As simple as schematic maps can be, if they are too simplified, they can be difficult. Especially if there is nothing to orient riders.

7. WASHINGTON D.C. Headway information “YOU ARE HERE”
“How to Use This Map”
Multiple scale maps
Routes from location highlighted
Number of Spider Maps
This was deemed by the group as the most useful of the Spider Maps considered in this review. This map has a geographic map with the Dupont Circle Station at the center showing all of the places that buses can access from this location as well as two area maps that show areas within walking distance. This map has the service hours for each bus route that stops at this location as well as the headway during each time period.
One some of the most helpful information included in the map are the “Tou are here” icon and the box containing instructions of how to read and use the information provided by this map. The only thing lacking from this system is the number of Spider Maps. They are only available at ?? Locations throughout the metro area.

8. LOS ANGELES Interstate references
Colors represent service type (local, express, rapid, interstate)
Destination Table and Area Map
Only one Spider Map
Only shows rail stations, no rail lines
No references to orient riders using the schematic map
Los Angeles also has a very helpful Spider Map, however there is only one in the system at Union Station. This is a schematic map with highways in the background to provide orientation and there is also a walking area map around the station. The Los Angeles Map also includes a “Destinations Table”.

9. Who has Spider Maps & What Makes them Effective?
City
Effective Pieces of Information
London
Local bus stop connection area map
Amount of Spider Maps in system
Washington D.C.
Headway information
“You are here”
Instructions
All routes, highlighted ones from selected station
Los Angeles
Colors for service type
Destination table
Boston
All other routes faded

10. GIS Map Production
GIS Toolbox for Spider Map Automatic Production

11. GIS Output User friendly Basemap automatic update Flexible layout
Cannot insert the frequency table automatically
Cannot change route labels automatically

12. Spider Map Web Application

13. Spider Map Best Practices/Recommendations
Frequency/Headway
Instructions
So riders know maximum time they will have to wait
Understanding how to use these maps to best get required information
Walking Area Map
Locations/References
To locate bus connections and local destinations surrounding transit stations
Especially for schematic maps, this helps orient riders where their stops will be

14. Questions? Dr. Kari Watkins, PE Georgia Institute of Technology
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Special THANKS to:
Dr. Kari Watkins, PE Georgia Institute of Technology
Anne Jacobs Georgia Institute of Technology
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA)
Margaret Carragher, EIT Metro Planning and Engineering
Wenwen Zhang
Georgia Institute of Technology