Pictured here is a very large "can't miss it" sign the MTA has above the staircase leading to the 8th Avenue bound (crosstown) L train at 1st Avenue on the Lower East Side in Manhattan. It's the only train here, going only in one direction, with only one platform, and this is the only entrance or exit. This train takes you to Union Square, 6th Avenue, and terminates at 8th Avenue, all along 14th Street.

Notice the MTA originally had "only" on that sign, but has recently taped over it. This got me thinking about usability of labels and what they mean to people.

Only: more than one definition?

The word only can be an adverb, conjuction, or adjective. Here's its used as an adjective. The sign appears to be often enough misunderstood by travelers, thus the MTA taped over it. But why?

1. Were enough people confused to think the train only went to 8th Avenue? If so, did they wonder where the local was?

Perhaps people interpreted the sign to mean the only destination was 8th Avenue, not the only direction. As mentioned, the only direction this train - from this platform - is 8th Avenue bound. That's what the on board announcements say, and the signs should match what is said for clarity and consistency.

2. Did people wonder how to get to the L train running in the other direction? Is that what the 8th Avenue only means? That you can't go to Brooklyn from here?

A lot of new New Yorkers don't understand how the MTA lexicon works. The MTA doesn't label things north or south or east or west. They label by the destination (8th Avenue) or direction (Brooklyn-bound). The trains rarely are ever in a due north-south or due east-west direction. I'll hear people say "Is this train going East or West?"

My Design Recommendation

Tell people this platform and train is 8th Avenue bound and 8th Avenue is the destination. The "bound" matches the on-board announcement, too.