- AURELVR
- DESIGN
- RESEARCH
- TEACHING
Subway Sorter
![](http://aurelvr.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/Subway_Cities.jpg?itok=XUR48oj-)
Subway Sorter is based on the idea that most essential information to the user of a subway network is the time it will take to reach the destination. Spatial information is secondary, as the space travelled is not visible. Subway Sorter inputs subway systems and re-organizes each segment on a time based scale. As the geography distorts a new map appears: Connection nodes between lines tie the system together, local stops in a line bulk out while the space between express stops shrinks, the linear shape of Manhattan inflates and wedges around the radiating satellites of Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. The systems of Paris and London re-organize to a grid-like map, while the star shaped plan of Moscow is resilient to the transformation.
Implemented as an iPhone (1G) application in alpha stage Subway Sorter would feed on live subway operator data. Localization tracks the users position. The map re-adjusts and computes time and connections in a single dynamic map.
Institution: aurel VR
Contributors: Aurel von Richthofen
with Carlos Ramos da Silva and Sergei Mikhailenko
Year: 2011
![NYC subway system transformation](http://aurelvr.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Subway_Compare_0000_1.jpg?itok=QFD6RMSU)
![NYC existing system](http://aurelvr.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Subway_City_0004_5.jpg?itok=Sazhel5j)
![NYC nodal network](http://aurelvr.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Subway_City_0005_6.jpg?itok=ZMmQibqz)
![NYC relaxed network](http://aurelvr.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Subway_City_0006_7.jpg?itok=l1mpMA5d)
![NYC re-mapped network](http://aurelvr.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Subway_City_0007_8.jpg?itok=_aF5L2mJ)
![Berlin BVG U & S Bahn transformation](http://aurelvr.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Subway_Compare_0002_1.jpg?itok=3aq4SXGE)
![Berlin existing system](http://aurelvr.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Subway_City_0000_1.jpg?itok=xPAO-JW4)
![Berlin nodal network](http://aurelvr.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Subway_City_0001_2.jpg?itok=L_Epu7Pe)
![Berlin relaxed network](http://aurelvr.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Subway_City_0002_3.jpg?itok=mdxbIjdl)
![Berlin re-mapped network](http://aurelvr.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Subway_City_0003_4.jpg?itok=Ndm1ZOpp)
![Barcelona TMB subway transformation](http://aurelvr.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Subway_Compare_0001_1.jpg?itok=IjATULnJ)
![Metro Dubai subway transformation](http://aurelvr.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Subway_Compare_0003_1.jpg?itok=nmRKgWPH)
![TFL London underground transformation](http://aurelvr.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Subway_Compare_0004_1.jpg?itok=Cmf1jsXe)
![Moscow Metro transformation](http://aurelvr.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Subway_Compare_0005_1.jpg?itok=qWsR0IKM)
![RATP Paris Metro transformation](http://aurelvr.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Subway_Compare_0006_1.jpg?itok=g_4Eb03O)
![SMRT Seoul Metro transformation](http://aurelvr.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Subway_Compare_0007_1.jpg?itok=tshQRFH_)
![App for iPhone 2G](http://aurelvr.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/SWS_04.jpg?itok=QomF2TUh)
![close-up of the iPhone mock up](http://aurelvr.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/SWS_05.jpg?itok=QmrY6aqu)