04-02-03

CHK AMERICA TO DESIGN PASSENGER INFORMATION SOLUTIONS FOR LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY

CHK Awarded Two Projects: System-Wide Metro Bus/Rail Map Design and Metro Gold Line Pasadena Extension Neighborhood Maps

SANTA BARBARA, CA (2 April, 2003)
Santa Barbara based CHK America has been awarded two top-priority design projects by Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, one of the nation’s largest transit agencies and operator of a 1,433 square mile service area occupied by more than 9 million California residents. That announcement was made today by Frederick A. Wood, President and CEO, CHK America.

CHK America is to commence work immediately on both projects. The first project calls for CHK America’s cartographic design services for a System-wide Metro Bus and Rail Map. This map will provide passenger information for MTA’s 2000 buses and more than 200 trains that operate throughout Los Angeles County. Over 180 bus routes and three rail lines carry more than 1.1 million passengers a day.

The second project requires the design of 62 neighborhood maps, the first nine of which are to be delivered for the eagerly anticipated Metro Gold Line which will connect the business centers of Los Angeles and Pasadena. Due to commence this summer, the 13.6 mile new light rail line, with a station positioned approximately every mile, is expected to ease traffic congestion on the heavily traveled Pasadena (110) and Foothill (I-210) freeways. The line is projected to transport the same number of people as a four-lane freeway during rush hour.

“We are excited to have been selected by MTA to work on these high-profile projects,” explains Wood. “Our studies indicate that passengers allow approximately 8 seconds to interpret travel information. They must begin receiving answers in that time or they become frustrated, resulting in passenger dissatisfaction. With an on-going goal to increase passenger transportation usage, our expertise enables transit agencies to improve customer service and increase ridership by delivering clear, concise and effective information in just 8 seconds.”

We look forward to working with CHK on these projects," said Neil Sadler, MTA lead designer. "CHK's recognized expertise, such as on the highly-praised maps of the London system, will enable MTA to develop world-class system and neighborhood maps to provide riders easily-understood transit information."

CHK America’s in-house design, production and editorial experts will develop the two projects. Cartographic information will be designed and presented in a method that allows passengers to easily and quickly comprehend the services of MTA. CHK America will also recommend and put forward decision-making criteria to determine the inclusion of landmarks, destinations and commercial centers on both the System-wide Metro Bus and Rail Map and the Metro Gold Line Maps.

CHK America has also recently been awarded two additional Passenger Information Solution projects for it’s hometown Santa Barbara MTD and San Antonio VIA.

Established in September 1999, CHK America provides passenger information solutions to the public transportation industry, in addition to delivering cartographic products and services across other business sectors. CHK America, a division of United Kingdom based Cook, Hammond and Kell, was established to expand the reach of its parent company’s products across the US. CHK’s products and services have been distributed extensively across Europe for over 140 years.
CHK America is a division of the UK based Cook, Hammond and Kell PLC, established in 1859. Other companies in the group include Cook, Hammond and Kell, FWT Studios, Oxford Cartographers, National Map Center London, National Map Center Dublin.

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