Further about this network map (specially in comparison to the former attempt and different approach displayed on this site, cf the 2017 version)
Synthetic graphic semiology
Because this map is made first to help the user sorting the mass of detail that a transit network presents.
Only four colors are used for the depiction of the surface network:
– blue for trams,
– magenta for bus routes serving the historic city-center (i.e. Baixa, Rossio, Praça da Figueira)
– dark gray for complementary bus routes
– orange-yellow for bus routes with very high headways, below 10’ (more than 6 buses per hour).
In association with three line-weights to distinguish the lines regarding their headway or frequency:
– thin lines for toutes with headways above 20’
– medium lines for routes with headways between 10 and 15’
– thick lines for routes with very frequent headways, below 10’ (associated to the orange bright color).
The base map — which I drew too — is toned down in light gray, with all the landmarks and points of interest labelled in a different typeface (with serif) than the information regarding the network, which are in a sans-serif font, in black and oriented at 45°.
The termini (end/beginning of routes) are signaled by the route number bullet:
– full disk with the number in solid white for the regular end of line
– outlined circle with the number in the route’s color for other types of service.
The other transports services are distinguished by the grain (or texture) and a unique color (medium gray) for their lines:
– The four metro routes are shown in thick rounded dashed lines, the stations are indicated by circles in the color of the line.
– The train lines are shown in thick discontinued lines, the stations are indicated by a full medium gray square, with the CP logo nearby.
Only major geographic features, such as green areas or parcs and the Tagus River are shown in natural color, here a medium green and ligh blue, in order to visualize the basic form of the city.
City & Transit Maps 