Here are some awesome alternate MBTA maps
We posted a few maps on Tuesday showing the neat differences between the MBTA’s designed map and the actual geographic locations of its system.
There are, of course, plenty more awesome ones where those came from. Terrence Fradet, a data visualization expert for Fathom Information Design, created his own illustration of the MBTA that compares its real distance with a grid-like formation.
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As expected, the difference between the geographically accurate version and his designed version is really pronounced for most of the Green Line and Silver Line. Both travel at slower speeds and have stops closer in location.
The Red Line’s Braintree path, located in the bottom-right, does the opposite, expanding from a small part of the designed map to a vastly larger distance.
Here’s another version, also from Fradet, that includes the Commuter Rail.
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This version really shows the distance that the Commuter Rail stretches out from Boston.
There are plenty more fun comparable maps for us to examine. Back in 2013, the MBTA held an open competition for its new map. The winning version is now used fairly often, but the others show unique interpretations of the MBTA.
Here’s a look at the five other finalists, compared to the geographic locations of the MBTA system and its stops.
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Gallery: These are the busiest T stops.
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