A single map giving all Bay Area rail systems equal (or appropriate — BART still stands out, as it should) weight. An earlier, more minimalist version of this map could be grasped at a glance; this one seeks, like the de facto regional map, BART's, to add geographical detail (as well as directions to destinations, although for reasons of space, most can be found in indexes). Unlike the BART map, though, it strives to avoid going into too much detail (or getting sloppy in the execution, although we don't want to be too critical). The idea is to convey a sense of place, essential wayfinding cues, while keeping lines reasonably clean and direct in a casual, not overly controlled way. This compromise concept is the correct approach for a region defined by its geography and a rather confusing rail network. The map might also be described as a guide, since it includes information on schedules, fares, and BART's three distinct service patterns (essential information obscured by its map).
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Bay Area Rail Map
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