Car parking - solutions?

[verbatim9]

The round areas of the building could house the stairwells? Hence utilising space that way without compromising car parking spaces

Plus the the shape of the land and the surrounding road network may make it difficult for a square, rectangular design.

They could of done a zig zag ramp on one side instead of a spiral ramp in the middle?

At the end of the day each time the Government gets involved in things, the design can be inappropriate, or way too expensive for the overall main purpose.

[verbatim9]

Quest via Couriermail.com.au--- The State Government has released its first drawings of the Darra Station parking upgrade

Traffic started flowing across half of the new Mt Ommaney overpass today (Friday) ahead of schedule, as the State Government also released the first plans for its new parking upgrade at Darra Station.

When completed, the two developments will work together to improve entrenched Centenary Highway traffic congestion and parking problems at the Darra station.

State ALP MP for Mt Ommaney Jess Pugh said the bridge was a welcome sight.

"Our community has waited so long for this project, I am pleased that we have been able to continue working through the COVID-19 crisis and deliver the project early."

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the next milestone would be the demolition of the old bridge, and the construction of a new eastbound-four lane overpass.

Meanwhile, Ms Pugh has also just released the first drawings of the $8.7 million Darra commuter carpark upgrade.
The planned development will add 180 new parks to be built on the opposite side of the Darra Station Road to the existing old carpark.

Major works are scheduled to begin this year. Ms Pugh said Darra and Centenary locals would benefit from the two projects, with faster commutes and more parking access at the station.

The Sumners Road overpass project is on-track for completion next year, and once complete will include:

 new signalised intersections that will replace the 2 existing roundabouts

 a new 2-lane eastbound bridge

 a new 4-lane bridge with provisions for pedestrians and active transport users

(replacing the existing westbound bridge)

 a cycle track will be built as an underpass below the western intersection and will link up with the Centenary Motorway Bikeway.

[James]

I am just hoping that is an architect's impression and is not representative of reality. If it is, that is a terrible carpark design. That space in the middle is totally wasted, cars need to exit the ramp at each & every floor to find a park, and that long, windy ramp really encourages people to get up their speed.

Clearly the government skimped on the engineering consultants quite majorly and went for an architect-heavy team, as while it is aesthetic, it certainly won't be very functional.

You'd get more car parks out of a rectangular design on a smaller footprint, and with better safety & operational perspectives to boot. It's a car park, not The Lourve, there is no need to reinvent the wheel...

[ozbob]

With respect to the Darra car park view.

What a lovely view of the track layout cluster-fuk!   

[verbatim9]

With respect to the Darra car park view.

What a lovely view of the track layout cluster-fuk!   

True! There should be a forth platform at Oxley and electrification of the forth track between Corinda and Darra. Springfield trains can run all stops on Track 1 and 2. Ipswich trains can run express from Darra on Track 3 and 4. Darra, Indooroopilly, Milton or Toowong?, Roma Street 7 days.

[SurfRail]

It shows how easy it would be to fix Darra.

Slew the tracks so the Springfield flyover feeds into Darra platforms 2 and 3.  Resignal the line to up-up-down-down.  Run freight on the Ipswich line (outer) tracks.  Electrify all four tracks to Corinda.  The turnouts installed at Milton recently should (IIRC) allow Ipswich and Springfield line trains to merge and split with zero crossing conflicts if up-up-down-down is maintained through there.  This approach also lets you demolish non-DDA compliant stations like Taringa and replace with a single island platform located on the track pair that actually needs the platform.  Also no need for a fourth platform at Oxley as it would be on the Ipswich line outbound track and therefore redundant.

Doing this work would only leave conflicting moves for freight.  Once Inland Rail and a new PoB connection are done, virtually all the western and interstate freight would no longer interact with the passenger network which leaves only stuff coming from the north of Brisbane - much lower volumes there and so likely to still be manageable.

The car park at Darra is also a huge waste of space.

[verbatim9]

It shows how easy it would be to fix Darra.

Slew the tracks so the Springfield flyover feeds into Darra platforms 2 and 3.  Resignal the line to up-up-down-down.  Run freight on the Ipswich line (outer) tracks.  Electrify all four tracks to Corinda.  The turnouts installed at Milton recently should (IIRC) allow Ipswich and Springfield line trains to merge and split with zero crossing conflicts if up-up-down-down is maintained through there.  This approach also lets you demolish non-DDA compliant stations like Taringa and replace with a single island platform located on the track pair that actually needs the platform.  Also no need for a fourth platform at Oxley as it would be on the Ipswich line outbound track and therefore redundant.

Doing this work would only leave conflicting moves for freight.  Once Inland Rail and a new PoB connection are done, virtually all the western and interstate freight would no longer interact with the passenger network which leaves only stuff coming from the north of Brisbane - much lower volumes there and so likely to still be manageable.

The car park at Darra is also a huge waste of space.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/TransLinkSEQ/status/1275247921361911809

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Brisbane the fifth most expensive city in the world for parking

Brisbane has some of the most expensive parking fees in the world, according to data from UK car maintenance company Fixter.

Of 65 major cities around the world, Brisbane has the fifth-priciest parking fees, with an average of $17.82 at airports, $16.88 at shopping centre car parks, and $46.43 for stadium parking per hour, according to Fixter's data, collected this year.

On-street parking near shopping districts is an average of $4.69, while city hall parking is a flat rate of $16.88.

Only New York, Boston, Sydney and London have higher parking fees.

London charges $14.20 for airport parking, $28.49 for shopping centre car parks, and $54.58 for stadium parking. And at $8.91 in the British capital, off-street parking is almost double that of Brisbane, while city hall parking is a flat rate of $18.20.

RACQ spokeswoman Lauren Ritchie said the data came as no surprise because other reports had indicated similar results in the past.

"It really is highway robbery in what they're charging to use their facilities," she said.

"We have done similar reports about Australian parking fees, and in a report last August, we found off-street parking was more expensive [in Brisbane] than in any other capital city.

"In 2018, we paid an average of $31.41 for parking in the city for an hour, and about $18.30 for 30 minutes."

And when it came to all-day parking, Ms Ritchie said one parking station charged $97, but "on average, it's $76.77".

She said the recession would make it harder for drivers to cope with high parking costs.

"When people are looking at how they will travel, they're going to look at necessity and luxury," she said.

"It is a luxury item to park in the CBD, and people will have to get creative and good with their money to make sure they don't get ripped off.

"With COVID-19, people who would normally use the CityCat, train or bus are looking at private transportation much more because of safety concerns."

To save money, Ms Ritchie suggested drivers compare prices online rather than just head for the closest parking station.

She also urged car-park operators such as Wilson and Secure to lower their fees.

"That's something parking stations should be looking at, as shop and restaurant owners are desperate to get people in the door," she said.

A Brisbane City Council spokesman said on-street parking fees in the CBD had risen by just $1.20 an hour since 2002.

"Council is responsible for setting the charges for street parking, and based on the data you're referring to, Brisbane, alongside Perth, had some of the cheapest capital city street parking in Australia, well behind other major cities around the world," he said.

"Street parking in Brisbane is cheaper than Sydney and Melbourne, and council's two off-street parking stations provide some of the cheapest all-day off-street parking in the city.

"Council also provides free 15-minute parking in inner-city suburbs around the CBD to increase parking accessibility and availability."

Secure Park, Wilson Parking and Westfield's Scentre were contacted for comment.

[Jonno]

Meanwhile in NZ - A couple of big changes to planning coming with new National Policy Statement on Urban Development
- plans must allow for a minimum of 6 storeys in town centres and in walking distance to rapid transit stations
- minimum parking requirements are banned

https://www.mfe.govt.nz/sites/default/files/media/Towns%20and%20cities/AA%20Gazetted%20-%20NPSUD%2017.07.2020%20pdf.pdf

[James]

In the end, it is someone's choice whether they drive into the city or not. People can always use public transport for part or all of their journey. I am sure car park operators would think twice if their carparks suddenly emptied by 50%!

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/TransLinkSEQ/status/1290067429809242112

[ozbob]

Planning works to upgrade and expand the park 'n' ride facilities at Altandi station

https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/altandi-station-park-n-ride

[ozbob]

Media statement

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/90758

Park 'n' Ride boost makes tracks for Gold Coast transport

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

16th September 2020

The Gold Coast's public transport revolution continues with the Palaszczuk Government today unveiling the final designs and locking in $5.2 million to build 350 new commuter parks at Varsity Lakes train station.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey revealed the designs, giving Gold Coast commuters their first look at the upgrade, and said it comes as another 125 parks turn online in the city's north with the completion of $4.2 million, 14-job Ormeau Park 'n' Ride, and construction continues on the Gold Coast's $790 million light rail upgrade.

"The way Gold Coasters travelled 10, 20 years ago is totally different to today. We've seen that with 50 million trips on light rail and record patronage on public transport before COVID-19 hit," Mr Bailey said.

"That's why we're transforming the city's transport network. We're building new park n rides across the coast, including at Varsity Lakes, as well as light rail to Burleigh, three new train stations on the northern Gold Coast and $2.3 billion in M1 upgrades.

Tenders for construction are expected to be called for the Varsity Lakes project in coming weeks and includes formalising temporary car parks opened up during the Commonwealth Games.

"During the Commonwealth Games temporary car parks were opened at Varsity Lakes station to accommodate travelling visitors and staff, and those parks will now become permanent fixtures together with 185 brand new spaces.

"The Gold Coast is Australia's sixth largest city and only going to grow. In the long term we're getting on with the Coomera Connector, building a business case for light rail stage 4 with council and commencing a study aimed at better bus connectivity with light rail, train stations and Robina Town Centre.

Mr Bailey said the Varsity Lakes project would importantly create another 15 jobs as the Palaszczuk Government continues to deliver Queensland's plan for economic recovery.

"We've seen throughout 2020 global economies including Queensland's hard hit by COVID-19. Thankfully, Queenslanders have been stepping up and because we continue to manage the health impacts of the global pandemic, we're able to deliver $24 billion in transport and road upgrades creating 21,500 jobs.

"It means diggers, machinery and workers will move from Ormeau straight into the Varsity Lakes upgrade, supporting the economy and easing those parking pressures at Varsity Lakes as people head back onto the train network.

"The Palaszczuk Government is getting with the transport and roads projects for the Gold Coast after years of neglect by the LNP when they cut $1.6 billion from state roads and didn't secure a single new dollar on the M1."

ENDS

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsGoldCoast/status/1306135371726483464

[ozbob]

Planning works to upgrade and expand the park 'n' ride facilities at Altandi station

https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/altandi-station-park-n-ride

Couriermail --> Altandi Station park 'n' ride: TMR unveils design for parking upgrade

The wheels have finally been set in motion to upgrade a "nightmare" Park 'n' Ride facility at a key train station on Brisbane's southside after years of community discontent bubbling away.

This week, the Department of Transport and Main Roads released a design for a proposed upgrade to parking at Altandi Railway Station in Sunnybank which would see approximately 50 extra spaces built, taking the station's capacity to about 140 spaces.

The design, which is open for community consultation until October 9, includes a second car park being constructed on a vacant parcel of land on Gundooee St, the opposite side of the station to the existing car park off Mains Rd.

The improvements would also see the construction of a new covered walkway linking the station and Mains Rd, a new Kiss 'n' Ride facility, additional lighting and CCTV cameras, and upgrades to the existing car park and bicycle parking facilities.

Sunnybank local Helen Bray, who lives on Tarrawonga St, which backs on to the new proposed car park, said while she would miss the "tranquil" green space, she could live with the new addition and would much prefer it to a "multistorey" monstrosity.

Another local, Lyn, who asked we not use her last name, said the existing carpark is a "nightmare" and sharing the parking more equally between both sides of the station would be a "good idea".

She said commuters had been given a temporary reprieve due to COVID-19 thinning out public transports users but that when the virus is contained it will be back to the bad old days of "bottlenecks".

Altandi has long been a favourite of southside commuters due to the Gold Coast express service (inbound and outbound) stopping at the station, as well as 13 separate bus routes within walking distance.

According to TMR data, in the FY 2018 – 19, 354,513 passengers tapped on or off at Altandi, just shy of 1000 per day.

A TMR representative said the project was yet to be costed.

"This will be decided once the concept option is refined close to the completion of the business case," they said.

The State Government has not as yet budgeted any funds toward the project.

Toohey MP Peter Russo said although the project will not be complete in the short term it is a positive step in the right direction.

"We're operating more weekly train services than ever before, we're building the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail and we're wrapping it up with even more parks," he said.

Provide your feedback at metropolitanregion@tmr.qld.gov.au or phone 3066 4338.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> New facility will create 1100 parks at busy train station

CONSTRUCTION has started on the $44 million Springfield park 'n' ride facility, which is expected to be finished in less than two years.

The sod was officially turned on the Springfield Central station upgrade on Wednesday.

Jordan MP Charis Mullen said the total number of parking spaces at the busy commuter hub would rise to 1100 and 44 jobs will be supported during the construction of the multistorey facility.

The upgrade will ease the pressure on local residents who use the station to get to and from work in peak times.

Ipswich City Council cracked down on illegal parking at the station late last year, handing out fines to those not using a temporary carpark about 500m from the station.

"It's full steam ahead for this vital infrastructure project and more jobs in Springfield Central, which is a key part of Queensland's plan for economic recovery," Ms Mullen said.

ADCO Constructions has been contracted to build the park 'n' ride facility at the corner of the Centenary Highway off-ramp and Springfield Greenbank Arterial Rd.

The project is expected to be finished by early 2022.

"The way we travel has changed over the past few months, but not the community's desire for more jobs," Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said.

"This new multistorey parking facility will not just build more parks, but over 40 jobs in construction and design."

New train and bus services were introduced earlier this year to service the rapidly growing Springfield community.

"Springfield families have always supported public transport," Ms Mullen said.

"They were a big factor in why the south east had two record years of patronage before COVID-19 hit.

"We've delivered more train services and more connecting buses than ever before; now we're building more parks as our community's population grows in the next decade.

"As families and commuters head back onto public transport, it'll mean they'll have more ways to catch the train and get to school, work or the shops."

[verbatim9]

Wow! 44 million for a suburban carpark. I wonder if the proposed Helensvale one by the LNP will cost that much?

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament E-Petition

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/petitions/petition-details?id=3423

Coomera Railway Station Car Park - Upgrade

TO: The Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland

Queensland residents note the need for the Minister for Transport and Main Roads to expedite the business case for the Coomera Railway Station park 'n' ride, using the $15 million committed by the Federal Government on May 18th 2019.

As part of the COVID-19 Economic Recovery strategy, this shovel ready and fully funded project would deliver for the Northern Gold Coast community both by way of jobs and by way of 400 additional car parks at the Coomera Railway Station, when the COVID-19 emergency is over.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to do all in its power to fast track the business cases for the Coomera Railway Station park 'n' ride.

[ozbob]

Media Statement

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/90786

Commuters on board $44m Springfield Central station parking upgrade

18th September 2020

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

The sod has officially been turned on the Palaszczuk Government's $44 million Springfield Central station parking upgrade, marking the start of construction on the major commuter upgrade.

Member for Jordan Charis Mullen put the first shovel in the ground on the project, which will see the total number of parks at the busy commuter hub brought to 1,100 while also supporting 44 jobs during construction.

"It's full steam ahead for better transport and more jobs in Springfield Central, which is a key part of Queensland's plan for economic recovery," Ms Mullen said.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said ADCO Constructions has been contracted to deliver the new multi-storey facility located at the corner of the Centenary Highway off-ramp and Springfield Greenbank Arterial Road.

"The ongoing health response to COVID-19 means the Palaszczuk Government has been able to get on with a job-creating, congestion-busting $23 billion road and transport program as part of Queensland's plan for economic recovery," Mr Bailey said.

"The way we travel has changed over the past few months, but not the community's desire for more jobs. This new multi-storey parking facility will not just build more parks, but close to 50 jobs in construction and design."

Ms Mullen acknowledged the efforts of Queenslanders stepping up to respond to health impacts of COVID-19, meaning construction could begin on-time.

"Springfield families have always supported public transport. They were a big factor in why the south east had two record years of patronage before COVID-19 hit," Ms Mullen said.

"We've delivered more train services and more connecting buses than ever before; now we're building more parks as our community's population triples in the next decade.

Earlier this year new local bus services were introduced, including the Spring Mountain 533 service as well as the new 527 and 528 services.

The project is expected to be complete early 2022, weather permitting.

"As families and commuters head back onto public transport, it'll mean they'll have more ways to catch the train and get to school, work or the shops."

For more information on this project, visit www.tmr.qld.gov.au and search 'Springfield Central park 'n' ride, or contact the project team by emailing metropolitanregion@tmr.qld.gov.au or calling 3066 4338.

ENDS

[Jonno]

"Siri!, what does bad transport planning look like?" What an expensive congestion creating mistake this!!!

[James]

Seeing all this money sloshing around for suburban Park and Rides is really quite upsetting.

Altandi in particular - it is just attracting patronage because of the GC express trains. If we had decent bus routes away from the 130/140/150 in this area the situation wouldn't be so bad.

[timh]

Seeing all this money sloshing around for suburban Park and Rides is really quite upsetting.

Altandi in particular - it is just attracting patronage because of the GC express trains. If we had decent bus routes away from the 130/140/150 in this area the situation wouldn't be so bad.

It becomes worse because I believe that GC trains may no longer stop at Altandi once CRR opens (they'll stop at Salisbury instead I believe).

The 130 has such good patronage and Mains Road is wide enough that I think it is a really good candidate for a BRT solution in the future

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/TransLinkSEQ/status/1310480740509859841

[Paul B]

Virginia Station gets 50 more spaces for the low low price of "more than $114 million"

[achiruel]

Interesting (well, I found it so) Twitter thread about the costs of urban car parking:

https://twitter.com/lukehklipp/status/1339385302729691136

====

^ unrolled thread ...

[verbatim9]

Varsity Lakes Parking upgrade

[timh]

Varsity Lakes Parking upgrade

https://youtu.be/bz0vl8VUHkE

It'd be nice if the remainder of that vacant land was used as a TOD, because I believe at one point it was earmarked as such, but I'm not gonna get my hopes up :/

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[Gazza]

They might as well have gone multi level parking on that block....Nobody wants to live next to a Substation.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/TransLinkSEQ/status/1341564404186427393

[Jonno]

I have travelled back to the 1970's!!!!! Celebrating park n rides!!!

[verbatim9]

https://twitter.com/TransLinkSEQ/status/1341564404186427393

The traffic islands separating the car parks could of included some plants and trees that grow to 2 metres. So much bitumen and concrete.

[ozbob]

Response from the Minister for Transport and Main Roads (Hon. Bailey), to an ePetition (3423-20) sponsored by the member for Coomera, Mr Michael Crandon, from 86 petitioners, requesting the House to fast track the business cases for the Coomera Railway Station park 'n' ride

> http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/docs/find.aspx?id=5721T6

[techblitz]

https://jp.translink.com.au/plan-your-journey/timetables/bus/t/683/clockwise/2021-03-15?timetableTime=0600

https://jp.translink.com.au/plan-your-journey/timetables/bus/t/101/inbound/2021-03-08?timetableTime=0600

that folks is why people prefer to drive to train stations...
Pure stinginess when it comes to investment in bus services....
its not f*ing good enough....
I think its high time RAILBOT calls for a mandate.....
Any bus service that feeds into a rail station MUST be a minimum 30 minute frequency between 6 - 9am....

[achiruel]

I think we've all known for a fair while now that the majority of feeder bus services in SEQ are absolutely woeful. The fact that the example given is trying to be both a rail feeder and a welfare/coverage route at the same time doesn't help. Indeed, the best rail feeders are also trunk routes (e.g. 704, 740, 615). Maybe instead of numerous feeder routes, more focus needs to be put on having major trunk routes (such as the 460) visit railway stations before their trip into the CBD, or maybe terminate there.

[techblitz]

In terms of trunks.....i recall saying it before....would like to see more 680`s......long & functional routes....where there is multiple combined uptake eg: bus-rail commutes / major shopping centers / beach ).

Downside is the longer they are the more congestion they hit so are more susceptible to increased delays over time....but....can easily be fixed with proper timing adjustment...

The 250 is similar to the 680....
Another similar one would be the recently suggested park ridge to SE busway via grand plaza / m2 or perhaps fruitgrove or altandi station....
More of these types of routes plz...

To further add to my post..
https://www.urbantransportgroup.org/resources/types/reports/whats-driving-bus-patronage-change-analysis-evidence-base

Doesn't pain a good picture for buses....especially low density areas......hence the clear and obvious bias in funding towards park and rides in SEQ vs improving local bus services.....

Key trends 
Young people are moving away from car ownership... but not necessarily towards the bus 
Older people are moving to car ownership and away from the bus
More people are living in cities - which can make active travel an attractive alternative to the bus
There is a general shift to the expectation of personalised and on demand goods and   services – which taxis and PHVs embody but buses do not
Transformative social and technological change has led to people working, shopping and entertaining themselves more at home. It's also led to changes in the journeys people now make with a shift away from regimented and regular daily and weekly journey patterns on the same corridors

[HappyTrainGuy]

@tech. I've said it before and I'll say it again. We need the translink 2012 network for Brisbane's Northside. It introduced so many feeders but the upside was they all worked well due to the multiple modes, corridors and interchanges spotted across the Northside. It would have created a network that people could use, increase pt uptake and make more efficient. It properly could have eventually lead to a shift in people's thinking about PT. The current network doesn't even have feeders or a 30 minute frequency and the ones that do operate on a 120m frequency

Bring back the proposed 340 cuts!

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/TransLinkSEQ/status/1379222320158449665

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/TransLinkSEQ/status/1389338983516319745

[#Metro]

Imagine if they built 550 apartments within 250 m of the station? It would have the same effect and actually make money.