Fairfax County and WMATA Need Help Naming the Silver Line Metrorail Stations
by Keither Turner, Cityline Partners
An online survey was recently launched to seek public input on names for the eight Silver line Metrorail stations in Fairfax County, including the 4 Tysons Corner stations. Phase 1 of the Silver line, which is expected to be completed in late 2013, will provide service between Stadium-Armory and Wiehle Avenue in Reston. Phase 2 will extend the Silver Line from Wiehle Avenue to Herndon, Dulles International Airport, and into Loudoun County. Officials hope to be able to announce the names of the 5 Fairfax County stations in Phase 1 of project sometime this summer.
The online survey includes proposed names for each of the 8 stations and those names currently proposed for Tysons Corner are different than the names County officials have used throughout the planning process.
Metro guidelines for the naming of Metrorail stations include the following details:
The primary purpose of a station name is to help customers plan their trips and navigate the system and region. Through our research, Metro customers have told us that station names help them locate destinations.
Long lasting names in Metro's system that have withstood the test of time have typically included the names of towns, streets, neighborhoods, and landmarks. Accordingly, Metro has a policy that requires that names be:
Relevant: Identify station locations by geographical features, centers of activity or be derived from the names of cities, communities, neighborhoods or landmarks within one-half mile (or walking distance) of the station;
Brief: Limited to 19 characters with spaces and punctuation, including both primary and secondary names;
Unique: Distinctive and not easily confused with other station names; and
Evocative: Evoke imagery in the mind of the patron. The survey is available at www.wmata.com/silversurvey and will remain open until 5PM on March 21, 2012. The final names will need to be approved by Metro’s Board of Directors.
The survey is available at www.wmata.com/silversurvey and will remain open until 5PM on March 21, 2012. The final names will need to be approved by Metro’s Board of Directors.
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