How do you communicate transportation planning data visually?

1 Why visual communication matters

Visual communication is the process of conveying information through images, symbols, colors, and layouts, which can simplify complex data and concepts, highlight trends, patterns, and relationships, compare and contrast different scenarios and alternatives, engage and persuade your audience, and support decision-making and policy-making. This is particularly useful for transportation planning, as it can help to address data availability and quality, integrate and analyze data, interpret and disseminate data, as well as provide feedback and evaluation.

2 How to choose the right visual format

When visualizing transportation planning data, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. You must consider the data type, message, audience, and purpose. Charts are helpful for displaying quantitative data such as traffic volumes and travel times. However, you need to be mindful of the scale, labels, colors, and legends. Maps are useful for showing spatial data such as road networks and land use. It’s important to pay attention to the projection, symbology, classification, and interactivity. Dashboards are effective for monitoring and evaluating transportation systems and projects. Consider the layout, hierarchy, filters, and navigation when designing a dashboard. Infographics can be used to show qualitative data like stories and facts. Keep in mind the content, structure, style, and credibility when creating infographics.

3 How to use the right visual tools

There are many tools available for creating and sharing visual communication products, from simple to sophisticated, free to paid, desktop to online. Examples of popular tools include Excel, Power BI, ArcGIS, and Canva. Excel is a widely used spreadsheet software that can organize, analyze, and visualize data with basic charts and maps. Power BI is a business intelligence software that can create advanced charts and maps, as well as build interactive dashboards and reports. ArcGIS is a geographic information system software that can collect, manage, and visualize spatial data with professional maps and spatial analysis. Canva is a graphic design software that can create attractive infographics and flyers with access to a large library of templates, icons, and images. Each of these tools has its own benefits and limitations in terms of customization, interactivity, scalability, learning curve or licensing requirements, or data integration and customization.

4 How to follow the best visual practices

To ensure effective and ethical visual communication, regardless of the format and tool chosen, there are some general guidelines to follow. Firstly, you must understand the source, quality, accuracy, and relevance of your data. Check for errors, outliers, and missing values, then select and transform the data to suit your message and audience. Secondly, consider the needs, expectations, preferences, and background of your audience to tailor your message and style. Provide clear titles, captions, and explanations for your visuals. Thirdly, define the goal, scope, context, and action of your communication. Choose the most suitable visual format and tool for your purpose, then highlight key points and insights of your data. Finally, respect privacy, confidentiality, and ownership of your data. Avoid manipulating or misrepresenting it; cite sources and references accordingly.

5 How to learn more about visual communication

Visual communication is a skill that can be learned and improved over time. To do so, there are many resources and opportunities available. Books such as The Visual Display of Quantitative Information by Edward Tufte, Storytelling with Data by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic, and Data Visualization: A Practical Introduction by Kieran Healy can teach the principles, techniques, and examples of visual communication. Courses such as Data Visualization and Communication with Tableau by Duke University, Introduction to GIS and Mapping by University of Toronto, and Infographics and Data Visualization by Knight Center for Journalism can help you to learn and practice visual communication. Additionally, communities like Data Visualization Society, Esri Community, and Canva Design School can inspire and support you in your journey. With these resources at hand, you can become an expert in visual communication.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?