The London Underground: Preparing a TV Programme Report

The underground system in the UK is the mother of the metro systems dating far back to 1863. It has had a mixed history of both ups and many downs. One of the major problems is the issue of the inhumanity of the system. This has to do with the complications and technicalities involved in the usability and comfort of the system (Geocities, 2004).

The reading of the maps is one of the technicalities. Reading of maps has great topological problems (Gunther and Leuween, 2006, 99). The London subway map compounds this by being geographically incorrect and can cause confusion for new users of the subway system (Rumble, 2002). This is further compounded by the general disorganization of signs within the station. The signs are confusing and are set great distances apart. This is very inconvenient for people who are new to the system (The Traveler, 2008). The other problem is the air conditioning issue. The mayor, Boris Johnson, just unveiled the new form of the trains that are meant to ease both congestion and conditioning problems. The only problem is that they are meant to be released in the year 2010 and will not cater to satisfactorily eliminate rather than alleviate these problems. They will form only 40% of the train fleet available meaning that one still has to contend with the old and uncomfortable trains (Milmo, 2008). The other problem associated with the underground system is overcrowding. Though the trains have been increased, this still remains a problem, especially during peak hours. The result is that there are more delays and more discomfort due to heating, especially in the summer.

The problem causes a variety of risks. The heating up of the subways and the overcrowding can cause heat strokes, especially in the summer. According to research done, the subways’ problems of heating control stem from the construction of the systems and are accelerated by the crowding (Ampofo, Maidment and Missenden, 2004). The delays have caused the development of online timetabling, an effective way of allowing the commuter to not only see the route but more importantly, plan in light of the delays that are shown. This will now let them access information quickly and efficiently (Beavis, 2008). Despite the improvements in the communication of the routes and timetables, the delays caused on routes that have only one way will still be affected. The issue of the signs causes strangers to do unnecessary navigational adventures in order to find their way around. For example, is if you are disabled or bearing baggage you will mostly need to use a different route altogether to access the station. This is confusing for first-timers.

In my opinion, one can find effective and innovative ways to solve the problems. This includes putting up more signs in visible places, providing fans and other cooling methods in the subways, and increasing the number of trains in deployment. In the putting of signs and making the maps easier to use, you can simplify the map and make it accurate enough for the first-timer to be able to relate with. Take for example the KORAIL services. The service providers strive to cater to all their clients, both local and foreign. Their maps have both English and Korean interpretations. Their trains are comfortable and fully air-conditioned. They have time to keep the rating of an amazing 99%. In addition, they have an interface in the cabin door that tells you where they will stop next.

In the future, these kinds of technologies that are customer-friendly must be put in place. This can be done by seeking additional funding from the advertising potential in the subways. The lift on the ban on sponsoring of subway stations will allow the service provider to seek better channels of maximizing their advertising and sponsorship. The money raised could fund the development projects that would make the sub-way travel experience much less daunting (Mole, 2008).

The London Underground will have more convenient facilities as KORAIL after 10 years. For example, the waiting area can have entertainment such as TV. The availability of food and refreshment stands inside the tubes will be very common. Air conditioning in summer and heating in winter will be commonplace. Use of other materials for the seats – not carpet seats, not cushions but plastic seats for clean and good sanitation will also be necessary. Online Shopping in the tube will also add to enhance the experience and convenience of the travel. These designs will have to take into consideration the ergonomics of future developments and expansion so as not to create the same kind of hold-up we have because of the shortsightedness of the original engineers.

The documentary must assimilate the problem of the commuter and the thoughts of the expert. It is important that the audience get to see the problem visually so as to relate to it (Hampe, 2004, 115). I suggest that we let the story be told by the commuters themselves as they come in and out of the various subways. This is their problem and so they would communicate it better (Nulph, 2006). The use of a specialist in the areas concerned is a good one as they can offer clarifications on the changes within their sector that can affect the subway system. Also in the interview guest list, we can have a representative from the London Underground so that they can offer us their perspective of the problem and the plans of the organization. Ensure, however, that the interviewees do not go too technical, as they will make the interview a bore (Jollife and Zinnes, 2006, p. 59). However, I think the length of the interviews of the experts and representatives should not be so long. A narrator is recommended to keep the general storyline and describe the shots concerning the problem that have no words. The use of a female and male narrator interchangeably is good in order to keep variety and show gender equality.

Works Cited

1. Ampofo F., Maidment G. and Missenden J. Underground Railway Environment in the UK Part 1: Review of Thermal Comfort Applied Thermal Engineering Volume 24, Issues 5-6, 2004, Pages 611-631.
2. Barry Hampe Making Documentary Films and Reality Videos (1997).
3. Macmillan Geocities London, 2004.
4. Jolliffe Genevieve and Zinnes Andrew The Documentary Film Makers Handbook (2006) Continuum International Publishing Group.
5. Kress Gunther and Leeuwen Theo Van Reading Images: The Grammar of Visual Design (2006) Routledge.
6. Mole Annie Tube Stations to be Sponsored (2008). Web.
7. Milmo Dan Boris Johnson Unveils New Air-Conditioned Tube Trains (2008). Web.
8. Nulph Robert G. Making Documentary Videos: The Interview(2006). Web.
9. Simon Rumble Response to London Underground Maps 2002.
10. The Travel Inside How to best use the London underground. Web.