[peteretep]

I would be more interested in attempting to track actual people moving about London, and extrapolating from there; self-reported short-cuts are all well and good, but actual behaviour overtime, to route around congestion, is much more interesting

[ibmthrowaway271]

TfL do this via Oyster card data but they have to plan for the bulk of people, not to create the fastest possible journey. There are usually much quicker ways to get in/out/through many tube stations but the signposted routes are the ones that can cope with the busiest periods.

A useful map to look at is the one with simple walks:-

http://now-here-this.timeout.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/...

It highlights just how simple it is to walk journeys that would naively involve one or two changes; St Pauls to Barbican for example, or Covent Garden to Tottenham Court Road.

[EDIT] Ah, found one of the links:-

http://www.lifehacker.co.uk/2014/05/29/10-best-london-tube-h...

" For example, changing from the Jubilee to Piccadilly line at Green Park, you’re better off going back up the escalators to the ticket lobby, then back down, rather than following the circuitous tunnel round.

...

At the bigger stations, some Underground lines are normally busier than others at rush-hour, so not following the signs can also pay dividends. A great example is Victoria station, where trying to get onto the Victoria line can take up to 15 minutes at 5pm. Instead, head down to the District Line, then follow signs to the Victoria line once you’re down the escalators. You’ll beat the rush, and as a bonus, come onto the platforms at the quieter end. "