Amsterdam metro – accessibility and navigation

26.11.2014

We are presenting twitter-style overview of yet another metro system – today it’s Amsterdam, recently visited by our team.

Sometimes it looks like Amsterdam residents are surprized why do they need metro when there are bicycles.

But of course many of them simply do not part with their bicycles while taking the metro train.

There are partitions in the metro trains reserved especially for bicycles.

Everywhere else signs “No bicycle” are used. Ha. Ha. Ha.

Aside from ubiquitous cyclists Amsterdam metro is very nice from accessibility point of view.

All underground and elevated stations are equipped with elevators.

On Amstelveen line (tram line adapted for metro trains) all stairs are doubled by ramps.

Walled-up elevator shafts on some stations.

Elevator at Ganzenhoef station works as a funicular – it moves not in a vertical shaft but in parallel with escalators.

Bicycles and baby strollers are not allowed at escalators. But what if elevator is out of order like in this picture?

Apart from standard escalators there are moving belts (travolators) at the exits to Centraal Station.

Stairs at some stations are equipped with anti-slippery rubber “patches”.

Most stairs are also equipped with single rails for bicycles.

Double rails at stairs are very rare.

Taktile markings for visually impaired passengers.

These railings are wrong, because they don’t cover the first step of the stairs as they should.

There are no doors at the stations, only shutters to close them for the night.

Turnstiles are installed on every entrance and exit – aside from standard ones there is at least one wide turnstile for wheelchairs, people with baby strollers, luggage and so on.

For emergency situations each station is equipped with emergency doors.

Typical picture for Amsterdam metro.

And now a couple of words about wayfinding in Amsterdam metro.

The only place you can be sure to find Amsterdam metro map is inside the train.

If you’re lucky you may also find the letter-sized map on the train platform. Or not.

The map with all public transport routes is available at each station though.

Map of the nearest tram/bus stops is also present at each metro station.

Big map of the surroundings outside the metro station, a rarity.

Station maps are available only at underground stations as emergency plans.

There are no metro line schemes at the platforms – only panels and signs which point out final destination of the trains.

There is also no unified wayfinding system – all signs are made in different styles.

P.S. You can find a route in Amsterdam metro and find out which barriers you will encounter there in our application.