Wayfinding and signage

Pedestrian navigation

We have developed a pedestrian wayfinding strategy and design manual to provide a clear and coordinated framework. The strategy and manual aim to ensure signs are consistent and help people get to their desired destination.

In October 2014, 2 pilot projects were installed. The projects helped us to further evaluate the design and messaging that is used on the wayfinding elements: pylon, flag, finger and tactile signs.

The selection of sign types, locations in the city and content for all wayfinding signs was completed in 2014 for tactile/braille signs and 2015 for pylons, flag and finger signs.

We consulted with the community in August and September 2015 to seek feedback on proposed sign locations and points of interest, including local community knowledge.

In 2016, we started installing the new wayfinding signs in the city centre. In December 2016, we completed installing tactile/braille signs across the City of Sydney local area.

We've now installed wayfinding signs across the City of Sydney local area. Signs in the recently completed light rail corridor will be installed by mid-2020.

Making Sydney more accessible

A network of tactile street signs has been rolled out across every signalised pedestrian crossing throughout the City of Sydney local area, making it safer and easier for people of all abilities to navigate our streets.

More than 2,100 braille and raised letter signs have been installed following extensive community consultation and on-site testing with Guide Dogs NSW/ACT and Vision Australia. This tactile sign network is now the most comprehensive in Australia.

The braille and tactile signs are part of the our legible Sydney wayfinding system that also includes pedestrian-friendly maps, information pylons, new signs and digital technology.

The tactile aluminium panels feature street names and building numbers in both braille and large, raised lettering to allow touch-reading by people who are blind and close range reading for those with low vision. They have been placed next to push buttons at every signalised pedestrian crossing across the local area, replacing worn out rubber panels.

While the tactile signs are designed mainly for people who are blind and vision impaired, they also make street location information easier to access for everyone. Vision Australia and Guide Dogs NSW have welcomed the rollout, saying many people will benefit from clear, consistent and accessible wayfinding information.

"As someone who is blind, being able to easily identify my location in an unfamiliar environment gives me increased confidence to travel independently," Michael Simpson said, Vision Australia's General Manager of Client Services in NSW.

According to Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, there are around 100,000 people with uncorrectable vision loss in NSW, and that number is predicted to increase by more than 20% by 2020.

The braille and tactile signs will be installed across the City's local area from April 2016 starting in the city centre.