Newey: An Algorithmically-Assisted Editor for High-Quality Fully Labelled Transit Map Layout (Poster Abstract)

Abstract

Transit maps visualize geospatial graphs such as metro-, tram- and bus-networks, and are canonically schematized using octolinear layouts. Recently, Van Dijk and Terziadis [van Dijk and Terziadis, 2026] released a graphical user interface for schematic transit map design that provides the user with a compelling set of algorithmically-assisted interactions based on "port assignments" - sidestepping the issue of computational complexity and including a human in the loop for aesthetic judgement. As is often the case for automated transit map design systems, their editor focuses solely on the graph layout problem without considering the need to actually label the stations. In this poster we demonstrate a significantly more capable editor that increases usability and practical relevance in two ways. First, we demonstrate that labelling can be seamlessly integrated in the port assignment framework, with efficient and meaningful algorithmic assistance. Secondly, we introduce various novel ways of interacting with the port assignment, providing several intuitive user interactions within the framework (for example: dragging nodes, and scaling and pivoting selections).