Wellington

Essential and nice to have info for pedestrian maps

Draft

Please send your input directly to our most passionate standards for maps proponent, Mike Mellor (mmellor [at] free.net.nz).

Scale
North direction
Key
steps (currently shown by a series of lines perpendicular to path)
steep slopes (currently shown by a series of >> lines to path)
length of routes (time or distance depending on purpose)
street numbers if route goes off on an unmarked shortcut
off-road/ on-road - possibly by colour e.g. red for on-road, green for off road
visitor info site
who to call with problems (usually Council number and email)
date of publication
who to contact if there are errors on the map
open space/buildings difference highlighted with shading/colour
names of ALL streets on map
local pedestrian association/ advocates contact (phone & website)
wheelchair sign if particular route has been checked for accessibility along its whole length (kerb ramps, no steps, good surface etc)

who to call if cars are parked on footpaths (if different from general number)
toilets (accessibility/ hours useful too, even just a "24/7" to show always open and people can inquire about others
bus stops/ routes/ train stations
public telephone booths
pictograms of wellknown site e.g. beehive, for orientation
names of parks
through building shortcuts e.g. lifts through Lambton Quay/Terrace buildings & hours of opening - shown in blue if restricted hours
dog exercise areas
historical info e.g. heritage trails

Words on all signs should be in Title Case (ie lower case with initial caps) - it's much easier to read than ALL CAPITALS.
On signs with times/distances, words should be left-aligned and times/distances right-aligned - again, easier to read, & follows normal roadsign practice.
Times (where shown) rounded up to the next 5 min (I suggest "min" rather than "mins" - shorter, & consistent with "km" & "m", which don't take an "s" in the plural).
There's a standard international wheelchair symbol for accessibility (currently used on buildings, buses, trains, etc) - that should be used where appropriate.