The LYNX Story: Changing Central Florida Transit Facilities by Gregory P. Cloos, ASLA, AICP The LYNX transit agency in Central Florida has emerged as one of the nation's recognized best, due in large part to recent efforts to improve passenger amenities. Like Central Florida itself, LYNX is known for its new and different attractions; this identity extends throughout its full range of transit facilities. Formerly named the Tri-County Transit Authority, LYNX serves an area encompassing metropolitan Orlando and a population of over 1.4 million. First known to national and international visitors for its colorful buses sporting larger-than-life artistic scenes (more than 200 are now in operation), LYNX pioneered a special technique that allows painted images to flow uninterrupted over bus passenger windows. A great deal of thought has gone into defining the desired public perception, and a "LYNX-like" concept guides all design components. Behind this image-- described as fun, bold, creative, and cutting-edge-- lies a commitment to provide a friendly, safe, clean and environmentally sensitive transit experience. Landscape Architects have played a significant role in LYNX's move to be "America's best," contributing both to the definition of the image and to the actual design and development of the transit facilities. Under the direction of Fred Halback, ASLA, landscape architects, planners, and graphic designers at Orlando's Herbert Halback, Inc., have worked closely with LYNX to create cohesive themes and physical designs for a wide variety of transit facilities ranging from neighborhood bus stops to multi-modal transit centers. The LYNX Customer Amenities Manual prepared by the firm presents design prototypes for the full range of facilities; many of these designs are now being realized throughout the area of service. This manual recognizes a hierarchy of transit stop types to suit a diverse range of LYNX operations: residential areas, commercial areas, entertainment areas, urban core areas and special districts. In Central Florida, residential areas range from 100-year-old city neighborhoods to sprawling suburban subdivisions and retro-progressive new towns like Disney's "Celebration." Commercial areas are often comprised of the auto-oriented stops so prevalent in Florida, while Urban Core Areas are primarily limited to downtown Orlando. Entertainment areas include the popular International Drive area near Disney World, and the special district category defines unique destinations like Winter Park's upscale Park Avenue shopping area. Challenged to develop a variety of transit stop designs to suit each of these contexts, Landscape Architects defined five distinct levels of transit stop: Local Transit Stops that include most basic stops, with a transit system sign, special paving, and occasionally a bench; more heavily used Primary Local Transit Stops that typically include a passenger shelter; Superstops that incorporate multiple bus staging areas with information kiosks, drinking fountains, and landscape areas; Transit Centers with even more amenities, including restrooms and ticketing facilities; and Park & Ride Lots, used primarily for suburban commuters, that feature convenient parking, taxi staging zones, and "kiss 'n' ride" drop-off lanes. The manual was created to provide public officials and private developers with the necessary information to install coordinated transit improvements. All facility designs are based on a common "kit of parts" - standardized components which can be assembled differently at different transit stop types to meet varying user needs. Bright, contrasting colors are recommended for many transit system components to highlight their forms and continue the "LYNX-like" identity. The LYNX sign (with its recognizable cat's paw symbol) serves as a constant element in all transit stop designs. Round sign panels displaying the LYNX logo can alternately be attached to existing decorative streetlights, simple black steel posts, or sturdy, multi-tiered posts with bright LYNX colors. Specialty paving, another design used at many transit stop types, includes textured, poured-in-place concrete with imprinted graphics such as the LYNX paw, or patterned concrete pavers with a constraining concrete or metal edge. Two unique types of benches are recommended: "Wheel" benches, round pods made from recycled plastics or perforated metals, supported by a central steel column which can serve as a LYNX sign post or transit shelter support column; "Wave" benches, backless linear platforms with an undulating surface, are designed to define individual seating areas while suggesting fluid motion. Leaning rails are promoted as an alternative or supplement to benches; these structures, placed 32" to 36" above grade level, allow transit riders to recline in a standing position. The curved "ripple" leaning rail echoes the curving form of the "wave" bench. Shelters are considered one of the most important passenger amenities due to Florida's intense sun and seasonal thunderstorms. However, side panels or windows are discouraged because of the maintenance and safety problems they present. The preferred designs shown in the LYNX manual feature curving metal roofs on an open truss system fastened to tubular steel supports. Three basic sizes of shelters are detailed to accommodate different group sizes, all based on a personal space standard of 15 square feet per person. Single shelters measure 10'x10' and are supported by a single central column; double shelters represent two singles placed end-to-end, while "quad" shelters include four columns in a square configuration with a larger roof system. The earlier-discussed wheel bench is often appropriate for installation on shelter support columns, and leaning rails can be used alternatively where space is limited or additional seating options are desired. Landscape elements at transit stop locations provide shade, visual interest, and boundary definition, and require a long-term commitment to irrigation and maintenance. A clean, strong look is preferred for all landscaping to complement the LYNX identity. A variety of site furniture types are typically provided at larger stations, and special paving treatments are used to distinguish pedestrian zones from vehicular areas. Landscape materials at larger LYNX transit stops include specimen palm trees, canopy shade trees, and masses of dependable shrubs and flowers. Even more exciting things are in the works at LYNX, including a downtown Orlando transit project known as LYMMO (as in limousine). This urban people-mover system, originally conceived as a trolley, will soon offer advanced-design buses in special traffic lanes connecting major destinations in the downtown core. Site features in the LYMMO system will include textured and exposed-aggregate concrete pavements, decorative steel supports for hanging planters, and custom-designed passenger shelters based on the established LYNX vocabulary. The LYMMO project represents only the latest efforts by Landscape Architects to play an integral role-- providing much of the design vision, experience, and creativity-- in the agency's quest to provide the nation's best transit system.