Making the System Work: Wayfinding for the Scarborough Subway Extension
By Karen Zwart Hielema
Image courtesy of Metrolinx
I love it when systems work well – when they are clear and efficient. With every sign that we place in a transit station, our goal is for a seamless passenger journey. Sometimes the architecture facilitates wayfinding, and a sign is not needed!
The DEXD team has been awarded a role as wayfinding and signage consultants as part of the larger delivery team for Scarborough Subway Extension. This marks our second large-scale transit project in Canada, and we’re thrilled to bring our expertise in human-centered design and intuitive wayfinding to this global team of experts including SENER, DIALOG, and GUNN.
A subway line is more than just a line—it’s a vital transportation system that stitches the fabric of a city and keeps our communities connected. The line will extend Toronto's Line 2 subway by 7.8 km, connecting with more than six transit options across the city. This expansion will replace the Scarborough RT (Line 3) and help reduce travel times while improving access to jobs, schools, and other destinations in Toronto. An image can speak a thousand words, but there are numbers that carry deep meaning. Consider the impact this line will have:
Ridership: 105,000 daily boardings
Increase in transit use: 52,000 daily
People within walking distance: 38,000
Access to jobs: 34,000
Annual reduction in greenhouse gas emissions: 10,000 tonnes
Delivering large-scale, complex projects can sometimes make it easy to lose sight of the broader importance of our work as we navigate through daily tasks, submissions, and technical reviews. But it’s important to remind ourselves that at the heart of every professional involved in a public project is a passion for doing good for the community. It’s about working toward the mission of creating collective joy and building spaces where everyone’s quality of life improves.
That’s why, with every sign we place in the subway systems, we are one step closer to fulfilling the mission of our company: creating spaces that enhance people’s lives.
Congratulations, DEXD team!
