Cincinnati Metro Unveils New Bus Stop Signage Designed for Accessibility

University of Cincinnati design team collaborates with transit agency on research-driven wayfinding system.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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A University of Cincinnati design research team is working with Cincinnati Metro on a new transit signage and wayfinding system that improves legibility, accessibility and user experience across the region's bus network. The collaboration brings students, faculty and interdisciplinary stakeholders together to create modular, research-driven designs for bus stops, park-and-ride locations and upcoming Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) transit projects.

Why it matters

The project aims to make Cincinnati's public transit system more user-friendly and accessible, especially for riders who may have visual or cognitive impairments. By focusing on typography, hierarchy of information, and integrating public feedback, the design team hopes to build civic trust and improve the overall transit experience.

The details

The design team, led by DAAP assistant professor Muhammad Rahman, explored how transit infrastructure could do more than just communicate routes, and instead create engaging public spaces. They tested various typefaces and design elements through A/B testing and eye-tracking software to determine the most legible and intuitive signage. The first elements of the redesign, including park-and-ride signage, are already being implemented, with full bus stop signage expected to roll out in spring 2026.

  • The design team began collaborating with Cincinnati Metro in 2025.
  • The first elements of the redesign, including park-and-ride signage, are already being implemented.
  • Full implementation of the new bus stop signage is expected to begin in spring 2026.

The players

Muhammad Rahman

An assistant professor in DAAP's Ullman School of Design at the University of Cincinnati, leading the design research team.

Micah Shannon

A student in the Communication Design program at the University of Cincinnati, who worked on the signage and wayfinding components of the project.

Anh Hoang

A student in the Communication Design program at the University of Cincinnati, who worked on the signage and wayfinding components of the project.

Danilo Palazzo

A professor and director of the School of Planning at DAAP, University of Cincinnati, leading the broader collaboration between DAAP and Cincinnati Metro/SORTA.

Vikas Mehta

A professor in the School of Planning at DAAP, University of Cincinnati, also leading the broader collaboration between DAAP and Cincinnati Metro/SORTA.

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What they’re saying

“Design can't be public infrastructure if it only belongs to experts. Design becomes a bridge when it integrates public feedback and helps people understand what they're getting.”

— Muhammad Rahman, Assistant Professor, Ullman School of Design, University of Cincinnati (Mirage News)

“When you see the final product, it will look simple. But what appears simple is deeply intentional: every decision supports faster comprehension and reduced cognitive load for riders.”

— Muhammad Rahman, Assistant Professor, Ullman School of Design, University of Cincinnati (Mirage News)

What’s next

The team is also supporting Cincinnati Metro through redesigning communicative annual reports for policymakers, navigation-based site audits, and public-facing communication materials, as well as a mobile-friendly regional mobility guide intended to make transit information more accessible.

The takeaway

This collaboration demonstrates how design can elevate the user experience of public transit, making it more accessible and intuitive for all riders. By prioritizing legibility, hierarchy of information, and incorporating public feedback, the new signage and wayfinding system aims to build civic trust and improve the overall transit experience in Cincinnati.