Mumbai’s Suburban Railway serves over 7.5 million commuters daily, yet navigation within its complex stations remains a significant challenge, particularly at a micro-level. Understanding this whole network and system is a daunting task for a new commuter or even for a daily commuter. The different types of lines and local trains are at times confusing and locating the platforms for these trains is difficult. The project focuses on understanding the complexities and challenges faced by commuters in Mumbai Suburban Railway network and further narrows down to the problem of wayfinding and navigation in a Mumbai suburban railway platform.
Background
Objective
Motivation
Improve navigation within Mumbai’s suburban railway stations through a micro-navigation system.
Guidance for micro-navigation decisions (e.g., entry points for specific train coaches, platform transfers).
Develop a standardized mapping template to communicate station layouts, amenities, access points, services, and pathways effectively.
Featuring
Accessiblity through both physical and digital mediums.
Despite advancements like Google Maps and M-Indicator, internal station navigation remains a challenge.
New infrastructure additions under MUTP-III, such as foot-over-bridges and elevators, have increased access points but added complexity, making intuitive navigation essential.
Mumbai’s diverse commuters—daily users, tourists, elderly passengers, and occasional travelers -each have unique navigation needs unmet by current solutions.
Improved station navigation enhances not only commuter convenience but also overall system efficiency.
Scope
The scope encompasses creating a detailed static 2D map that effectively communicates both macro and micro-level navigation information within the existing station.
an overall station map providing a comprehensive view of the Thane station layout
implemented through dual mediums
physical printed versions for on-site usage
Thane as POC
The design solution aims to provide a templatized navigation system that can be adapted across Mumbai's suburban railway stations. This approach ensures scalability, allowing the system to be implemented consistently throughout the network. However, it is important to note that the actual implementation and testing are currently limited to Thane station, which serves as the proof of concept (POC).
digital versions optimized for web platforms and mobile screens.
detailed platform-specific maps offering granular information about facilities and access points on each Thane station platform
Primary Deliverables
Image Credits: Ony In India Youtube Video
Designing a Micro-Navigation Guide Map
for Mumbai Suburban Railway Station
Academic Project
Field
UI & UX
Duration
12 weeks
Team
Individual
Primary research
On-site visit
User interviews
Necessity
Google maps
The primary navigation tool available to commuters is Google Maps, which, while providing macro-level journey planning, exhibits substantial limitations in addressing micro-navigation challenges within railway stations.
m-indicator app
The official mobile application, M-Indicator, provides operational information such as train schedules and platform numbers, along with an overall map for Mumbai local train network but fails to address any spatial information regarding a particular station to commuters. This app's functionality is confined to service updates like train schedules, local-train lines etc.
Necessity
We all can recognize the challenges of navigating the Mumbai suburban railway system, irrespective of us being frequent or occasional travelers.
Here’s a compilation of a series of images that illustrate the wayfinding issues and ambiguities in information encountered on a specific platform.
This categorization provides a comprehensive understanding of the pain points and serves as the foundation for proposing actionable solutions aimed at improving the commuter experience.
Identified Common Issues
On-Site visit
Wayfinding &
Navigational Clarity
Communication
Barriers
Visual Obstruction
& Planning
Accessibility
& Inclusion
Insights through User Interviews
Familiarity with the system due to routine
Gets overwhelmed on any given Mumbai station.
Confusing signages and disoriented by East-West direction
Information gap as they are new to this system
Lack of awareness regarding train types, different lines, and platforms
Dependency on Google maps which fails to provide stations internal wayfinding
Seeks external help like Railway police or ask strangers
Daily Commuters
New Commuters
They have their strategies which are often influenced by proximity & convenience
Well aware of shortcuts & quick exits to save time
Informed about the connected public transport
They think it is is easy to navigate through any station
Insights through User Interviews
Transport Map from Other Cities
Articles & Papers
Secondary research
Checked out navigation maps and information systems from other major urban transportation hubs around the world. This provided valuable context and inspiration for developing an effective micro-navigation solution for the Mumbai Suburban Railway network.
Image Source: www.bahnhof.de
Public transport at each exit
Mention of exits
Highlighted changes
Platform access
Can be used to show commuter flow
Image Source: airportlink.com
Hauptbahnhof (Berlin) Station Map
Sydney Central Station Map
Insights through papers
Tokyo Station Layout (Japan)
Image Source: Central Japan Railway Company
Collaborative Design disciplines
Spatial Representation
Cognitive mapping
Spatial & Focus maps
Landmarks & Spatial Overview
Orientation wayfinding
Universal Design
Design Solution
Structural
Navigational
Structural + Navigational
+
The proposed design solution can be conceptualized from structural, navigational, or a combination of both perspectives. However, due to the constraints on making structural modifications to the existing space, the project won't be recommending any enhancements to the current signage or information boards, nor the addition of similar elements within the station. Therefore, the design solution concentrates exclusively on the navigational aspects of the station as it currently exists.
Understanding the User
Daily Commuters
Digital Kiosks
Physical
Digital
Mobile App
Map integration in app
Web based platform
Interactive Map
Physical Maps
Handheld Maps
Large Printed Map
Booklet
Occasional
Commuters
New or Infrequent
Users
Design Process
Initial Sketching
The process included gathering of all relevant information visible during the site visits, with particular attention paid to the coach positions of Mumbai local trains on each platform. Additionally, the spatial arrangement of amenities, entry/exit points, and key navigation features were documented to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the station's layout.
Digitization of Sketches
Building upon the initial sketches created during the mapping phase, I proceeded to digitize these physical sketches to create a more polished and scalable design. This digital version was applied to all 10 platforms at Thane station, ensuring that each platform's unique layout and features were accurately represented.
Testing different visual treatments on one platform enable assessing how the design worked in practice and identify potential challenges or areas for improvement. This iterative approach enabled to refine the visual language, ensuring that the map was not only aesthetically appealing but also functional for commuters of all experience levels.
Categorization of Services
Design Iterations
Food
Child Help Desk
Food
Food
Tree
CTI Office
Stairs
Escalator
Stairs
Stairs
Toilet
Train
Model
Central Railway
Institute,
Banquet Hall
Central
Railway
Institute
Central
Railway
Institute
Central
Railway
Institute
Central
Railway
Institute
Ramp
Stairs
Stairs
Exit
Thane Board
2W
Parking
Library
Fitness
Drinking Water
Drinking Water
ATVM Machine
12
11
10
09
07
06
05
04
03
02
01
08
General
Ladies
General
Ladies
F.C. Ladies
F.C. General
Handicap
General
General
F.C. Ladies
General
F.C. General
Handicap
Ladies
Luggage
General
General
F.C. Class
Driver
Ladies
Luggage
General
General
F.C. General
F.C. Ladies
Stairs
Exit
Exit
Exit
Thane
(Fast & Slow trains)
CSMT
P1
12
11
10
09
07
06
05
04
03
02
01
08
General
Ladies
General
Ladies
F.C. Ladies
F.C. General
Handicap
General
General
F.C. Ladies
General
F.C. General
Handicap
Ladies
Luggage
General
General
F.C. Class
Driver
Ladies
Luggage
General
General
F.C. General
F.C. Ladies
CSMT
(Slow trains)
Kalyan/Kasara/Karjat
Child Help Desk
Food
Food
Tree
CTI Office
Stairs
Elevator
Stairs
Stairs
Stairs
Escalator
Food
Food
Toilet
Medic
Medic
RPF
Waiting Area
Exit
Exit
Exit
Toilet
Foot over Bridge
P2
12
11
10
09
07
06
05
04
03
02
01
08
General
Ladies
General
Ladies
F.C. Ladies
F.C. General
Handicap
General
General
F.C. Ladies
General
F.C. General
Handicap
Ladies
Luggage
General
General
F.C. Class
Driver
Ladies
Luggage
General
General
F.C. General
F.C. Ladies
12
11
10
09
07
06
05
04
03
02
01
08
General
Ladies
General
Ladies
F.C. Ladies
F.C. General
Handicap
General
General
F.C. Ladies
General
F.C. General
Handicap
Ladies
Luggage
General
General
F.C. Class
Driver
Ladies
Luggage
General
General
F.C. General
F.C. Ladies
Stairs
Stairs
Stairs
Stairs
Stairs
Stairs
Escalator
Food
Food
Food
Food
Food
Lift
Water
Foot over Bridge
Foot over Bridge
Thane
(Slow & Fast trains)
Kalyan/Kasara/Karjat
Thane
(Slow & Fast trains)
Kalyan/Kasara/Karjat
Thane
(Slow & Fast trains)
CSMT
P3
P4
Ticket Counter
ATVM
Help Desks
TC Office
Railway Office
Waiting Areas
RPF Office
Railway Services
Food Stalls
Toilet
Parking
Medical Shop
Drinking Water
Other Services
Bus Stand
Auto Stand
Public Transport
Staircase
Elevators
Escalators
Ramps
Access
Entry & Exits
The final map design utilizes an isometric view to provide a 3D perspective of the station layout, which significantly enhances the user’s ability to understand the spatial arrangement of the various features within the station. Compared to a flat top-down view, the isometric perspective offers a more intuitive sense of depth and structure, allowing users to visualize the relative positioning of platforms, staircases, access points, and services more effectively.
The final design effectively combines visual clarity, spatial awareness, and aesthetic appeal, making it a functional and user-friendly solution for navigating Thane station. The isometric view improves commuters’ ability to understand the station’s layout and orientation, offering a clearer, more intuitive map compared to traditional 2D representations.
Final Design
Below is the evaluation plan for the proposed design solution.
In Situ Testing
To evaluate commuter interactions with the physical map at Thane station, an observational study will be conducted to assess whether commuters can successfully identify and locate key points such as exits, platforms, and nearby landmarks. This evaluation will serve as an initial validation of the design solution. The primary objective is to determine if commuters can effectively identify and utilize the information presented on the maps.
Usability Testing
This evaluation could be conducted in a controlled environment by recruiting participants who are familiar with the Mumbai railway network, as well as those who are new to it. Participants will be assigned tasks such as locating specific destinations, planning routes, or identifying platforms and railway lines.
Think-Aloud Protocol
Along with usability testing this evaluation can be held, wherein participants will be asked to verbalize their thought processes while navigating the map. This approach is expected to yield insights into their reasoning, any misunderstandings they may encounter, and how they interpret the map as a whole.
Evaluation Plan
Thanks!