Comments on: DOT Unveils Sidewalk Compass Markings

By: Scott

Scott — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 13:57:30 +0000

Midtown is easy to navigate… if you can see two streets, you can orient yourself.

Downtown is the hard one.

By: Steven

Steven — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 04:34:30 +0000

Chicago has had these for some time on the Red Line downtown.

By: SPer

SPer — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 16:44:30 +0000

I have wanted these for years! In spite of those signs inside the subways, every now and then I have that experience of getting above ground, heading confidently off in the direction I need to go, only to realize a block or so on that I’m going the wrong way. Then comes the most peculiar sensation of proprioceptive disorientation, where I correct course for still, for several seconds, don’t *feel* that I’m going the right way, and somewhat effortfully revolve the world (and the location of the Hudson or the East River) into it’s correct position.

By: galvo

galvo — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 03:32:24 +0000

the mag declination for this area this year is around 14 degrees,(13.9). nothing that will make a difference navigating the city.
the compass are a great idea , i have always wondered why there was nothing to indicate your direction when leaving a subway station. great that the DOT is implementing this.

i also use hopstop street viewes i have time so i know which way to go when exiting a subway station.

By: Emperor

Emperor — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 21:58:27 +0000

Before the annointing ceremony, consider this was also an idea publicly floated when 14th street was reconstructed back in the early 1990′s.

You annointers are really getting ahead of yourself.

By: Brian

Brian — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 20:42:57 +0000

This makes me want to cry.

Directional clues was what the WTC used to provide for anyone in Midtown.

People became lost coming out of a subway on 9/12/01.

By: fdr

fdr — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 20:31:55 +0000

Before you anoint Sadik-Khan as emperor, take note that this was an idea submitted by a private citizen that Weinshall endorsed. DOT has been working on this for over a year.

By: Harlan

Harlan — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 20:09:06 +0000

Sadik-Khan for emperor! This is fantastic. I’ve seen suggestions for exactly this for years, but never thought I’d see the day…

By: Clarence Eckerson

Clarence Eckerson — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 20:05:27 +0000

Ray. Maybe, but it will also get rid of the most frequent question tourists ask NYers, “Which way is 5th Avenue, that way or that way?”

So it will save us all time in the long run, though I always love to answer the queries from cute seniors from out of town.

By: v

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 20:01:27 +0000

thank goodness. some other cities have these, and they are *awesome*

By: Ray

Ray — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 19:54:58 +0000

My first thought was, this is a GREAT idea! And i still think it’s a pretty good idea, but I can’t help but see this as one more reason for tourists to stop in the middle of the sidewalk and obstruct traffic.

By: rfr

rfr — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 19:51:36 +0000

Grid north vs. magnetic north vs. true north. And for good measure, what about adding an indicator pointing towards Mecca? I’ve seen many Muslim street vendors taking time out for midday prayers, but have noticed a lack of consensus on which way to face.

By: mg

mg — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 19:38:11 +0000

SWEET. Though most subway exits will tell you which corner you’re exiting on (this concept took at least 2 days to explain to one of my friends.)

By: pedant

pedant — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 19:37:36 +0000

Will “north” on these decals point uptown or to magnetic north? They differ by about 29 degrees.

By: Clarence Eckerson

Clarence Eckerson — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 19:34:37 +0000

Our DOT is so cool! (OK, never thought I would say that.) Even though I am very good with directions sometimes it’d be nice to have this when coming out of a subway…