SEGD Philadelphia Chapter | SEPTA Project Tour + HH

Behind the Maps: Designing SEPTA’s New Wayfinding System

Building on our previous SEPTA wayfinding event in 2022, we’re bringing the SEPTA team back, joined by Nova Industrial Arts, one of the fabricators behind the system, for a deeper look at the design, implementation, and real-world performance of SEPTA’s new wayfinding program. Learn how rider research, community engagement, cartographic design, and fabrication expertise came together to create the Metro, Bus, Regional Rail, and Neighborhood maps, and how the system is helping prepare Philadelphia for FIFA World Cup 2026 and beyond.

What You’ll Learn

• The SEPTA Wayfinding Transformation– An overview of the network-wide wayfinding overhaul, its goals, implementation strategy, and impact on rider navigation.
• Research & Community Engagement– How rider feedback, stakeholder input, and universal design principles informed the system from the very beginning.
• Designing the Maps– A behind-the-scenes look at the Metro, Bus, Regional Rail, and Neighborhood maps, including the design strategy, cartographic process, and key decision-making considerations.
• From Design to Deployment– Insights from Nova Industrial Arts on translating the wayfinding vision into a durable, system-wide installation, including fabrication challenges, coordination, and implementation lessons learned.
• Real-World Impact– How the new wayfinding system performs in the field, what riders are saying, and the role effective wayfinding plays in creating a more accessible and navigable city.

Experience the System Firsthand

Following the presentation, attendees are invited to tour the 15th St/City Hall Station and experience the new wayfinding system in its real-world environment.

A networking happy hour sponsored by Nova will follow. Location TBD.

Details

Date: June 17, 2026

Time: 6:00 PM

Location: SEPTA Headquarters, 1234 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA