The Barcelona metro has announced the introduction of a new tactile map designed specifically to improve the navigation experience for people who are blind or visually impaired.
This initiative aims to provide a clearer and simpler reading of the city’s subway transportation system.
This new tactile map represents an updated version of the braille map used since 2012, which was considered complex due to the amount of information it presented.
The revamped design focuses on providing essential information, such as transfer stops, the start and end points of each line, and uses different textures to represent each of the metro lines. In addition, the spacing between the names of the stops has been increased to make them easier to understand.
To validate the effectiveness and usability of this new map, a pilot test will be carried out during the month of February in three specific stations: Rocafort, Hospital Clínic and Sant Pau.
Tactile map and the most used line in the subway
In other news related to the Barcelona metro, it has been revealed which is the line most used by citizens on a daily basis. According to data provided by Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB), Line 1 has registered the highest number of users in 2023, reaching 116 million.
This line connects the Bellvitge Hospital in Hospitalet del Llobregat with Fondo in Santa Coloma de Gramenet, crossing the city horizontally and linking peripheral areas with the center of Barcelona.
Among the busiest stops on Line 1 are Plaça de Sants, Plaça Espanya, Plaça Catalunya and Glòries, reflecting its importance as a crucial means of getting around the city.
Closely following Line 1 is Line 5 (blue), which connects Cornellà with Vall d’Hebron and has registered 107 million users in 2023. This line, which crosses the city on a similar route to Line 1, but through the upper part of the city, is also widely used by citizens.
In third place in terms of usage is Line 3 (green), the city’s oldest line, which has accumulated 84 million users in 2023. Line 3 connects Zona Universitaria with Trinitat Nova, passing through the city center and serving as a vital artery for public transportation.
The least used lines
On the other hand, the least used lines are the Montjuïc Funicular, with only 1 million users, and Line 11 (Trinitat Nova-Can Cuiàs), which connects the city with Ciutat Meridiana. These shorter and less frequent lines reflect a more limited demand due to their specific location or purpose.
With these new features, the Barcelona metro highlights the importance of accessibility to the system for all citizens.
