Client: Michael & Son
Project: DC Metro Bathroom Accessibility Map
Role: Front-End Web Developer
Duration: 2017
Overview
Commissioned by Michael & Son, this project aimed to address a real public need in the Washington, D.C. area — helping Metro riders locate nearby restrooms along the city’s extensive subway system. I designed and developed an interactive map-based tool that made it easy for commuters to find the nearest public bathrooms within Metro stations, with accessibility and clarity as the central focus.
My Role
As the project’s lead developer, I was responsible for building and deploying a Mapbox.js-based interactive map that visually represented the DC Metro network. Key features included:
- Color-coded Metro lines corresponding to official WMATA routes for intuitive navigation.
- Interactive location pins for each station, each linked to detailed accessibility data and restroom directions.
- A toilet icon marker system for instant recognition and UX clarity.
- Ease of Access ratings using a 5-star scoring system to help users plan stops with better facilities.
- Pop-up panels with photos, directions, and accessibility notes dynamically loaded from a structured data source.
- Integration of social sharing features to promote the map’s visibility and community contribution.
Technical Stack
Mapbox.js, JavaScript (ES6), jQuery, HTML5, CSS3, JSON, Adobe Illustrator (map overlays and icons)
Achievements
- Built a fully interactive map experience that helped thousands of DC commuters locate restrooms across the Metro system.
- Featured on DCist, Reddit, other platforms, and local news sites, generating significant buzz for both the project and the client.
- Enhanced public accessibility awareness through a practical and empathetic web tool.
- Demonstrated how thoughtful UX design and data visualization can solve real-world urban challenges.
The Result
The DC Metro Bathroom Accessibility Map became a viral civic resource, combining clarity, accessibility, and interactivity to serve both residents and visitors in the D.C. Metro area. The project not only strengthened Michael & Son’s reputation for community engagement but also showcased the potential of data-driven design to create meaningful social impact.
Some Reddit comments:
This is… surprisingly slick for what is probably a gimmicky throwaway for a plumbing/HVAC company.
Like, not even just identifying the stops, but the individual steps once you are in the store. That’s super detailed for a glorified potty map.
I hate their commercials as much as I love this map.
Yeah, they did a really bang-up job. I have a couple nitpicky quibbles, but this a genuinely useful map.
I clicked through all the stations on my regular commute, and filed away some of the suggestions in case of emergency.
