Cincinnati is getting a fresh look at public transportation, thanks to the collaborative effort between the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP) and Cincinnati Metro. Students and faculty from DAAP have teamed up with the city’s regional bus network to overhaul the transit signage system, with an eye toward enhancing legibility, accessibility, and the overall experience for riders.
Assistant Professor Muhammad Rahman from the Ullman School of Design is taking the lead, working with DAAP students Micah Shannon and Anh Hoang on this extensive project that looks beyond the typical bus stop sign. “It’s a design system, not just a singular thing,” Rahman told the University of Cincinnati News. The project involves stakeholders ranging from transit engineers to community members, aiming to establish bus stops as meaningful urban spaces.
A new typeface, Navigo, was selected as the most suitable option after comparing 17 candidates based on various conditions such as distance and lighting. This detail speaks to the project's larger aim of improving how information is conveyed at bus stops. As Rahman puts it, the goal is to make routine actions like waiting for a bus not just bearable, but informative and even engaging for the public.
The prototypes developed for the new signage aren’t just for show; they’ve undergone intensive trials, including A/B testing for readability under different conditions. Rahman says the design has been deeply considered to reduce cognitive load on the rider. This includes attention to typography, spacing, and the hierarchy of information. The collaboration further extends to redesigning other transit materials, such as communicative annual reports and a mobile-friendly regional mobility guide, aiming to streamline information delivery across the board.
Cincinnati residents can expect to see the first touchpoints of this initiative at park-and-ride locations, with full bus stop signage to follow in spring 2026. The physical design of the signs is being fine-tuned to align with municipal safety codes, ensuring that these new signs are not just visually appealing but also durable and practical for daily use.
