Introduction
I see signs all the time, and I’m sure you do too. Signs are used to portray information, thoughts, or ideas to the people who view them. New York City residents have multiple transit options available to them, from their own cars, motorcycles, or bicycles, to taxis and rideshare services. However, an affordable option for most is the subway, operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). The subway expands to all five of New York City’s boroughs, offering train transit for a fare of $2.90. The vastness of this system, however, means that it is used a lot– over a billion rides, in fact, in 2023 alone according to the MTA’s own data.
With so many riders, there is a desperate need for information… that’s where signs come in. Signs provide:
- Information, like the map above showing the various subway lines
- Space for businesses to advertise; and
- An opportunity for art to be showcased in a busy city
Instructions and Notices
A common theme across the many signs in the New York City subway system is instructions and notices for the riders. These allow the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to give basic information to the users of its subway service.
Figures 1 through 5 demonstrate different types of notices and instructions:
Figure 1 shows a notice of planned work, which provides riders with information that may affect their commute. Figure 2, on the other hand, is of a station emergency exit door, which has instructions saying that it is solely for emergency use, meaning that it is not a typical exit point. Next, Figures 3 and 4 provide safety-focused instructions, such as a warning regarding electricity and not leaning on doors. These notices warn the public not to do things that may harm them, like leaning on a door that may rapidly open and cause them to fall. Lastly, Figure 5 gives instructions on what not to do when riding the train, in an effort to increase the comfort for other passengers.
A potential reason for this theme is that the MTA wants to inform riders of what is and what is not allowed, while also providing information. These create a sense of order in the subway that would not otherwise be there. Had the MTA decided not to post notices, passengers would not only be confused but also less safe. As an example, if the door in Figure 2 had no signage, commuters could see that door as another entry or exit point with no fare attached, which defeats the purpose of turnstiles that require a fare. This would then lead to a large, dangerous amount of people trying to use one door, all in an effort to save money on the fare. Also, the metal doors in Figure 3 may seem sturdy enough to lean on, but an unsuspecting person may find themselves getting injured from a fall if the door opens while they are using it to rest.
I think the MTA’s signage is an important aspect of the subway– without it, there would be more injuries and more confusion (two non-ideal results).
