8 Lessons from the Paris Metro

Transportation planner Dan Malouff shares eight insights into what makes the Paris Metro one of the world's great subways.

1 minute read

May 3, 2016, 5:00 AM PDT

By Philip Rojc @PhilipRojc

Parisian green-striped trains are efficient and attractive. | eska2005 / Shutterstock

Dan Malouff gives us a list of characteristics that make the Paris Metro system efficient, non-frustrating, and even beautiful. American transit planners should certainly take some of these fixes into consideration. They include:

Lockable door controls for passengers, reducing entry and exit times (versus requiring conductors to control all door operations)
Full-platform seating (why not?)
Flip-up seats, adding capacity during rush hours
Open gangways allowing movement between cars
Elevated tracks that actually look good
Sign design that aspires beyond the merely utilitarian
Location-specific maps (aiding travelers to stadiums, airports, etc.)

Check out the article for more discussion on each concept.

FULL STORY: 8 lessons about great transit I learned riding the Paris Métro

Thursday, April 28, 2016 in Greater Greater Washington

Infrastructure Transportation Europe Paris France Paris Metro Subways Public Transit Transit Seats Subway Platform transit maps Elevated Rail Design View More

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