S&SD document: 1-312 Automated audio and visual information in public areas of stations and trains
Request ID: FOI-1008-2324 Date published: 27 July 2023
You asked
I'm curious about the design strategy of signage across London Underground, especially the old dot-matrix signs. The old version of this document: https://content.tfl.gov.uk/tfl-digital-display-standards.pdf
I found references to "1-312 Automated audio and visual information in public areas of
stations and trains" of Strategy & Service Development standards and
guidance documents in this design document: https://content.tfl.gov.uk/station-design-idiom-2.pdf
Can you please share S&SD document 1-312 please? If there is an older version describing the dot-matrix font seen in the odler arrival boards (not the new digital ones), please share that.
Thank you!
We answered
Our ref: FOI-1008-2324/GH
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 1 June 2023 asking for a copy of S&SD document: 1-312.
Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require.
Standard 1-312 was withdrawn on 01/03/2016, however, a copy is attached for your information. S1311 is the replacement document and combined a number of standards relating to customer information into a single one.
Please find attached an excerpt from S1311 which deals with Visual Electronic Information Displays (VEID) and other electronic boards.
The earliest signs still in use are from 1984 on the Northern Line. Attached is SE903C, the specification for the signs from 1986 until the mid- 1990s. Section 6.3. relates to character font, and the data specifications from this are still in use today for compatibility reasons.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
If you are not satisfied with this response please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Graham Hurt FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
