Railway station signage has to work across very different locations, from enclosed concourses and subways to exposed platforms, entrances and footbridges. A construction that suits a ticket hall will not necessarily suit the end of a platform.
The specification therefore has to cover more than the appearance of the finished sign. The graphics must stay legible, the finish must suit the cleaning regime, and the sign must be maintainable or replaceable without unnecessary disruption to the station.
NOVADURA manufactures wall-mounted, post-mounted and freestanding signage for rail networks and transport infrastructure. Here are the details we establish before a station signage package goes into production.
Match the Construction to the Location
A platform sign exposed to wind-driven rain has different requirements from a directional panel inside a ticket hall.
External signs need materials, finishes and fixings suited to their exposure. The construction should not trap moisture at panel edges or mounting points. Dissimilar metals should not be brought into contact where corrosion could result.
Inside the station, contact and cleaning often matter more than weather. Signs along busy passenger routes are touched, marked and knocked by luggage and cleaning equipment.
For that reason, we review each installation location before settling the panel construction. A schedule that applies one material to every location can miss real differences in use and exposure.
Material and Finish
Our primaDURA system is stove-finished aluminium, available in 3mm and 5mm thicknesses and supplied with a 10-year exterior warranty.
Panel thickness, dimensions, fixing positions and the method of applying graphics all affect the finished sign. A station may need wall-mounted directional signs, platform information panels and freestanding structures, each with different fixing requirements. These should be specified individually rather than applying one construction across the whole project.
Cleaning and Graffiti
Graffiti removal can be harder on a sign than the weather. Some cleaning products and abrasive methods damage graphics, coatings and applied films while the panel underneath remains sound. This matters most on platforms, station approaches and footpaths, where signs are likely to need repeated cleaning.
primaDURA is inherently graffiti-resistant, but that does not make every solvent, scraper or abrasive pad suitable. Where cleaning will be frequent, agree the permitted cleaning agents and methods before installation and make sure the maintenance contractor has them, particularly where more than one sign material is used in the same station.
Rail Wayfinding and Legibility
Station wayfinding has to be read quickly, from the places passengers actually stand and walk.
Graphics that are clear when viewed head-on can become hard to read when a sign is mounted too high, set against a bright background or viewed across a crowded concourse. Viewing distances, letter heights, colour contrast, symbols and mounting positions should be fixed in the design before manufacture. Reflections from glazing and artificial lighting should be considered when choosing the finish.
When replacing station wayfinding signs, the new panels need to follow the existing system’s terminology, directional conventions and graphic standards.
We manufacture wayfinding signs as wall-mounted panels, post-mounted signs and freestanding totems. The right format depends on the information to be displayed and the space available.
Fire Performance and Emergency Signage
Any required fire performance classification must be verified against the material or sign assembly covered by the relevant test evidence and the project’s requirements.
Emergency escape signage is a separate matter from passenger wayfinding. The symbols, positions and visibility of fire evacuation signs follow the station’s fire safety strategy, not the wayfinding scheme.
Where photoluminescent signage is specified, check its performance and installation requirements. It supports emergency lighting rather than replacing it, and should be considered as part of an assessment of the complete escape route.
Design for Maintenance and Replacement
Access to station signage is often restricted. A panel above a busy concourse may need specialist access equipment or night working, and that can cost more than the replacement sign itself.
On larger schemes, establish at design stage whether individual sign faces can be replaced while the supports stay in place. This depends on the construction chosen and is far easier to resolve before installation than after.
When we replace existing station signs, we need accurate dimensions, photographs and details of the current mounting arrangement. These tell us whether new panels can use the existing supports or need new fixings.
What the Signage Schedule Should Include
The schedule should give the manufacturer enough information to produce each sign without assumptions about its construction or installation. For each sign, include:
| Item | What to include |
|---|---|
| Location | Reference number and location, including whether it is internal or external |
| Size and artwork | Dimensions and approved artwork |
| Construction | Material and finish |
| Mounting | Mounting method and the surface or structure it fixes to |
| Performance | Any project-specific performance requirements |
| Replacements | For replacements, the existing supports and any dimensional limits |
Where the same design repeats across the station, check that the construction suits each location. An identical graphic layout does not mean the same mounting will work on a platform canopy column and a ticket hall wall.
Newton-le-Willows Station
At Newton-le-Willows, replacement wayfinding and station signage formed part of the station’s £19 million upgrade, delivered by Galliford Try and Network Rail.
The station sits on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, opened in 1830, so the signage needed to suit its historic setting while coping with high passenger footfall and outdoor exposure. primaDURA was specified for the directional and wayfinding signage throughout the station, using post-mounted signs.
Read the Newton-le-Willows case study
Discuss Your Railway Signage Requirements
Send us your drawings, signage schedule or details of the existing installation. We will review the manufacturing requirements and provide a quotation.