The point of this Lion is the interplay of ideas and information.

At its heart, the new MTA Live Subway Map is a vision powered by data to deliver real-time, accurate updates to New Yorkers and all subway users who flock to the city.

The offering marks the first significant upgrade in four decades, and provides real-time updates of all sorts: route changes, delays and closures, while also displaying the location of every train in the system.

Harnessing this key data helps us with functionality —to enable riders more efficiently plan their journeys and make adjustments on the fly.

We had an ambitious vision to build a new digital map for the New York MTA [Metropolitan Transportation Authority] —one that updates in real-time to help subway riders better navigate the city.

This work represents the first major redesign of the iconic map in four decades, replacing the printed diagrams and maps introduced by Unimark International and Michael Hertz Associates and evolving “The Weekender” by Massimo Vignelli.

We knew that to give New Yorkers and visitors to the city the most accurate version of the subway system as it's operating currently, the map would need to actually redraw itself several times a day.

Now live at map.mta.info, the MTA’s first Live Subway Map involved an eighteen-month collaboration.

We are laying the foundation for transit systems around the world to adopt live maps that are easy to use and will thereby help encourage the use of public transportation.

A "Live" subway map had never been made before. Some initial iterations were focused around a single line or time of day, but we learned how much New Yorkers take pride in knowing how to navigate the subways. They don't want to be told a single way to go.

Maps will always matter, but what the new Live Map offers is real-time data that is reflected as:

Automatically updating train lines - Subway lines redraw themselves to illustrate current and accurate train service status.

Moving trains - That reflect real-time locations of trains throughout the subway.

Zoom-In features - Which expose greater map detail including the ability to see individual train lines, subway entrances, station names, and street locations and names.

Subway accessibility - The new map highlights accessible stations and provides updates to accessibility-related equipment like elevators and escalators.

Our target was massive: millions of New Yorkers (a highly diverse population) plus visitors from around the world.

We focused on converting complicated copy —those hastily printed signs usually up all over subway stations— into visual information. It's better for users because our brains interpret visual information far faster than written information, especially in on-the-go contexts like trying to catch a train. The fact that it's visual means it also works across several languages, too.

We also anticipated the Live Map would be used widely on phones, so we spent time optimizing for mobile. At first, the notion of having to squeeze all of the information into a small mobile-phone sized screen seemed like a big constraint. But the smaller canvas allowed us to merge geometry with geography, while using the ability to pinch lets us to be deliberate about the level of content that can be surfaced.

Our decision to make this tool web-based was democratic —not requiring an app download and thus accessible across a variety of devices.

We also knew that to give New Yorkers and visitors the most accurate version of the subway system, the map would need to redraw itself several times a day. This meant an ultra tight collaboration between designers, developers and data leaders.

The first few months were devoted to design but the longest stretch was centered around integrating with MTA data and perfecting front-end development. The “live” functionality makes this product a leap ahead from previous maps.

As we neared launch, COVID-19 hit the world and NYC was hit especially hard. The product we were working on took on new meaning. Accurate train time data is not only critical for managing commutes but can help riders plan for more efficient riding and limited time in public places.

As ridership climbs from 1 million during Covid back up to 5.5 million, the new Live Map is equipping people with information to be safer and linger less in crowds on platforms.

We also implemented a live feedback form which has generated thousands of pieces of feedback. The most common response? “Install the Live Map in stations and subway cars.”

Select Press:

“Designed to let riders see how the network is working at a glance” -- The Wall Street Journal

“Providing more data to riders so they can make more decisions on their commutes every day.” -- The New York Times

“A remarkable design feat.” -- Ad Age

Five months later we added a new Vaccine Locator feature to help New Yorkers find COVID-19 vaccine sites. Clicking on the new vaccine icon reveals 600+ vaccine sites on the map, hours of operation, and how to make an appointment.