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start:1-france:b-redesigning:solution [2014/12/30 23:42] antony |
start:1-france:b-redesigning:solution [2014/12/31 00:04] (current) antony |
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| ====== Our Solution: Making the new station an intermodal hub ====== | ====== Our Solution: Making the new station an intermodal hub ====== | ||
| + | <WRAP center round box 3.5%> | ||
| + | [[start:1-france:b-redesigning|Back]] | ||
| + | </WRAP> | ||
| ~~TOC~~ | ~~TOC~~ | ||
| - | ~~SLIDESHOW~~ | + | |
| ===== 1. Introduction===== | ===== 1. Introduction===== | ||
| - | {{:start:1-france:b-redesigning:architecture:pont1.png?500 |}}<WRAP justify>This is the suggested footbridge over a somewhat similar sort of station where the footbridge would span the railway tracks and go right the way over the road Avenue de la Gare to the Alpes car park near the Sainte-Marie school. Indeed, the whole redevelopment would be a bridge over the past, symbolised by the road, into the future, symbolised by the new soft path approach with its cycle and pedestrian paths. | + | {{:start:1-france:b-redesigning:architecture:pont1.png?500 |}}<WRAP justify>This is the suggested footbridge over a somewhat similar sort of station where the footbridge would span the railway tracks and go right the way over the road. In La Verpillière, it would span the Avenue de la Gare to the Alpes car park near the Sainte-Marie school. Indeed, the whole redevelopment would be a bridge over the past, symbolised by the road, into the future, symbolised by the new soft path approach with its cycle and pedestrian paths. |
| ---- | ---- | ||
| - | ==== A bridge to the future ==== | + | ==== The importance of location for the station ==== |
| Although a similar "futuristic" station development at the nearby North Isère corridor town of l'Isle d'Abeau was expensive and, to a certain extent, hardly an unqualified success, there is a major difference at the station of La Verpillière: it is in the middle of two fast-growing towns and a little closer to Lyon which has been spreading noticeably eastwards over the past fifteen years. The future for La Verpillière is bright--especially if it seizes the chance to redevelop its public transport infrastructure for trains, bicycles and buses.</WRAP> | Although a similar "futuristic" station development at the nearby North Isère corridor town of l'Isle d'Abeau was expensive and, to a certain extent, hardly an unqualified success, there is a major difference at the station of La Verpillière: it is in the middle of two fast-growing towns and a little closer to Lyon which has been spreading noticeably eastwards over the past fifteen years. The future for La Verpillière is bright--especially if it seizes the chance to redevelop its public transport infrastructure for trains, bicycles and buses.</WRAP> | ||
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| <WRAP justify>The starting point of the redevelopment project is to get all the bus traffic to the south side of the tracks so as to make the station an "intermodal hub"--something which is a growing trend in almost all major towns and cities across Europe. People want to be "connected" in every possible way and have the choice of the means of transport, particularly if the cost is lower and it is better for the environment. In our redevelopment plans, the school and regional bus services would have their terminus at the railway station, and efforts would be made to make cycling a major means of transport for the future since it meets both criteria of the cost and the environment. Bikes could be rented out cheaply as in other major towns and cities in France: this is something we would like the CAPI organisation to look into since it would be good for all the North Isère towns to be partners. Another form of transport we would like to promote is the electric car rental for those needing a car for an occasional journey. Put simply, the rationale of the station would be to promote alternative means of transport to the "traditional car" which pollutes too much and which causes such widespread congestion. | <WRAP justify>The starting point of the redevelopment project is to get all the bus traffic to the south side of the tracks so as to make the station an "intermodal hub"--something which is a growing trend in almost all major towns and cities across Europe. People want to be "connected" in every possible way and have the choice of the means of transport, particularly if the cost is lower and it is better for the environment. In our redevelopment plans, the school and regional bus services would have their terminus at the railway station, and efforts would be made to make cycling a major means of transport for the future since it meets both criteria of the cost and the environment. Bikes could be rented out cheaply as in other major towns and cities in France: this is something we would like the CAPI organisation to look into since it would be good for all the North Isère towns to be partners. Another form of transport we would like to promote is the electric car rental for those needing a car for an occasional journey. Put simply, the rationale of the station would be to promote alternative means of transport to the "traditional car" which pollutes too much and which causes such widespread congestion. | ||
| ---- | ---- | ||
| - | ==== A changing population==== | + | ==== Adapting for a changing population==== |
| Our new station in La Verpillière would also need to cater for a changing population. Whereas today more and more people are driving around in cars, this cannot be a long-term solution for people living in the North Isère corridor. We have our plans anchored in the real world and realise the car must be factored into all transport policy. Indeed, initially, there would have to be a //larger// car park to encourage commuters to take the train into Lyon. For as we have discovered through surveys, the vast majority of rail customers use the train service to get to and from Lyon. The North Isère has become a commuter belt for Lyon and there is no reason to imagine that this growing tendency would slow down in the foreseeable future. | Our new station in La Verpillière would also need to cater for a changing population. Whereas today more and more people are driving around in cars, this cannot be a long-term solution for people living in the North Isère corridor. We have our plans anchored in the real world and realise the car must be factored into all transport policy. Indeed, initially, there would have to be a //larger// car park to encourage commuters to take the train into Lyon. For as we have discovered through surveys, the vast majority of rail customers use the train service to get to and from Lyon. The North Isère has become a commuter belt for Lyon and there is no reason to imagine that this growing tendency would slow down in the foreseeable future. | ||
| - | --- | + | ---- |
| ==== Changing transport policy==== | ==== Changing transport policy==== | ||
| On the contrary. The A43 motorway increasingly has signs asking motorists to reduce their speed because of pollution; alternative means of transport are overdue, but to start off with, the train seems by far the simplest and most economical alternative, despite the line being already overcrowded because of freight and passenger traffic. Widening of the line is problematic due to lack of width in many urban areas along its length but a number of bridges could be built in some of the short sections where this is necessary so as to potentially double the flow of rail traffic. Heavy investment will of course be necessary, which means creating political momentum for this change, but the medium- and long-term alternative of a transport policy overwhelmingly dominated by cars is bleak. | On the contrary. The A43 motorway increasingly has signs asking motorists to reduce their speed because of pollution; alternative means of transport are overdue, but to start off with, the train seems by far the simplest and most economical alternative, despite the line being already overcrowded because of freight and passenger traffic. Widening of the line is problematic due to lack of width in many urban areas along its length but a number of bridges could be built in some of the short sections where this is necessary so as to potentially double the flow of rail traffic. Heavy investment will of course be necessary, which means creating political momentum for this change, but the medium- and long-term alternative of a transport policy overwhelmingly dominated by cars is bleak. | ||
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| ---- | ---- | ||
| - | ==== 2 major issues ==== | + | ===== 3. The question of roads, parking and buses ===== |
| <WRAP justify>We have given a lot of thought to the use and direction of roads leading to the station at La Verpillière. Indeed, two major issues are the level crossing next to the station and the high level of traffic using this B road, especially in the rush hours, leading to major build ups of traffic. | <WRAP justify>We have given a lot of thought to the use and direction of roads leading to the station at La Verpillière. Indeed, two major issues are the level crossing next to the station and the high level of traffic using this B road, especially in the rush hours, leading to major build ups of traffic. | ||
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| ---- | ---- | ||
| ==== No additional costs for inhabitants==== | ==== No additional costs for inhabitants==== | ||
| - | The main focus of the changes would thus be to reduce the potentially dangerous motor congestion around the school area where 1,600 children come every day, as well as encouraging people living in and around La Verpillière to leave their car behind and bring a bike for their daily commute to the railway station. If they do decide to take their car, then there is no planned charge: inhabitants of the two towns of La Verpillière and Villefontaine would incur no additional direct expenses. | + | The main focus of the changes would thus be to reduce the potentially dangerous motor congestion around the school area where 1,600 students come every day, as well as encouraging people living in and around La Verpillière to leave their car behind and bring a bike for their daily commute to the railway station. If they do decide to take their car, then there is no planned charge: inhabitants of the two towns of La Verpillière and Villefontaine would incur no additional direct expenses. |
| ---- | ---- | ||
| ==== Re-routing buses==== | ==== Re-routing buses==== | ||
| Line 83: | Line 85: | ||
| ==== Using the rail services ==== | ==== Using the rail services ==== | ||
| We have sited the new station on the first floor, thereby making the SNCF ticket offices closer to the main car park on the south side of the tracks and available to users travelling in both directions. It would have a larger waiting area opposite it on the south side of the tracks. The footbridge, which would be covered, would be accessible to all thanks to a gradual slope on the north side to allow cycle and large numbers of students to use it comfortably. To reach both platforms, there would be escalators and stairs down from the footbridge as in the illustration above. On the south side, so as not to take up too much space in the brownfield site, there would be escalators and stairs on the outside going up and down to cope with the considerable flows of commuters and students. | We have sited the new station on the first floor, thereby making the SNCF ticket offices closer to the main car park on the south side of the tracks and available to users travelling in both directions. It would have a larger waiting area opposite it on the south side of the tracks. The footbridge, which would be covered, would be accessible to all thanks to a gradual slope on the north side to allow cycle and large numbers of students to use it comfortably. To reach both platforms, there would be escalators and stairs down from the footbridge as in the illustration above. On the south side, so as not to take up too much space in the brownfield site, there would be escalators and stairs on the outside going up and down to cope with the considerable flows of commuters and students. | ||
| - | ---- | ||
| - | ==== Adding extra services==== | ||
| - | In addition, on both sides of the track, inside the covered, heated area on the ground floor, there would be both stairs and a large lift for reduced-mobility users and possibly cyclists; the rest of the space downstairs would be taken up by at least two types of shop: on the south side a snack bar-cum-news kiosk, and on the north side a cycle shop sited right next to a much larger cycle shed that could cater for 500+ bicycles. The towns of La Verpillière and Villefontaine could therefore sponsor the cycle shop to help with cycle repairs for the newly introduced "3Vs" (**v**élos de La **V**erpillière et de **V**illefontaine), while cycle commuters could benefit from a service of bike repairs/overhauls if they left their bike in the cycle shop while at work. Of course, the shop would also sell new products too, but the daily after-sales service would be the major factor in allowing the business plan to work, since a cycle shop could not otherwise compete with the superstore giants like Decathlon. | ||
| ---- | ---- | ||
| ==== Making the station more user-friendly ==== | ==== Making the station more user-friendly ==== | ||
| + | In addition, on both sides of the track, inside the covered, heated area on the ground floor, there would be both stairs and a large lift for reduced-mobility users and possibly cyclists; the rest of the space downstairs would be taken up by at least two types of shop: on the south side a snack bar-cum-news kiosk, and on the north side a cycle shop sited right next to a much larger cycle shed that could cater for 500+ bicycles. The towns of La Verpillière and Villefontaine could therefore sponsor the cycle shop to help with cycle repairs for the newly introduced "3Vs" (**v**élos de La **V**erpillière et de **V**illefontaine), while cycle commuters could benefit from a service of bike repairs/overhauls if they left their bike in the cycle shop while at work. Of course, the shop would also sell new products too, but the daily after-sales service would be the major factor in allowing the business plan to work, since a cycle shop could not otherwise compete with the superstore giants like Decathlon. | ||
| + | |||
| Inside the main concourse upstairs and downstairs on the south side, there would be sliding glass doors to keep as much of the heat or cool in, depending on the season. There would also be modern toilets available, since this is an obvious service that is not always provided at small stations because of the cost of keeping them clean. As at Lyon Perrache station, for instance, it is suggested that there be a 50 cent charge to partially cover this cost and to make more unlikely unwanted degradation of the facilities: people who pay generally want something clean and are less interested in graffiti. | Inside the main concourse upstairs and downstairs on the south side, there would be sliding glass doors to keep as much of the heat or cool in, depending on the season. There would also be modern toilets available, since this is an obvious service that is not always provided at small stations because of the cost of keeping them clean. As at Lyon Perrache station, for instance, it is suggested that there be a 50 cent charge to partially cover this cost and to make more unlikely unwanted degradation of the facilities: people who pay generally want something clean and are less interested in graffiti. | ||
| ---- | ---- | ||
| - | ===== Eating at the station ===== | + | ==== Eating at the station ==== |
| - | Also downstairs, there could be a small eating area for people wanting a coffee and croissant or a sit-down snack outside the multipurpose snack shop-news kiosk. The current owners of a mobile snack van do a regular trade, especially among high school students: they could be given the first right of refusal to the offer of running the snack bar-kiosk in far better surroundings, and it would be better for people to be able to sit down rather than eat by the side of a busy road. With people waiting regularly for trains and buses right next door, the chances are the owners would do a roaring trade. All of this would certainly enhance the prestige of the station and encourage people to use the station, especially those who hesitate because of the thought of waiting mindlessly on a cold platform in the wind and rain. | + | Also downstairs, there could be a small eating area for people wanting a coffee and croissant or a sit-down snack outside the multipurpose snack shop-news kiosk. The current owners of a mobile snack van do a regular trade, especially among high school students: they could be given the first right of refusal to the offer of running the snack bar-kiosk in far better surroundings, and it would be better for people to be able to sit down rather than eat by the side of a busy road. With people waiting regularly for trains and buses right next door, the chances are the owners would do a roaring trade. |
| + | |||
| + | All of this would certainly enhance the prestige of the station and encourage people to use the station, especially those who hesitate because of the thought of waiting mindlessly on a cold platform in the wind and rain. | ||
| </WRAP> | </WRAP> | ||
| ---- | ---- | ||
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| From an economic point of view, our project does not come cheap and due to the building and infrastructure it would probably need several years to be put into place. The students working on the Comenius project realise that they won't see its completion while they are at the school. But a seed will have been planted. Our redevelopment plan is clearly ambitious in its long-term view of creating a safer, more environmentally-conscious society, while remaining rooted in the realities of balancing the needs of citizens, their elected representatives and companies. We hope it will be taken seriously by the various stakeholders because for too long, the complex nature of the station area has prevented the authorities from making a bold, forward-looking decision. While we humbly accept that we--as students--do not have all the answers, it is time for the stakeholders to make the hard choices that cannot be avoided any longer. | From an economic point of view, our project does not come cheap and due to the building and infrastructure it would probably need several years to be put into place. The students working on the Comenius project realise that they won't see its completion while they are at the school. But a seed will have been planted. Our redevelopment plan is clearly ambitious in its long-term view of creating a safer, more environmentally-conscious society, while remaining rooted in the realities of balancing the needs of citizens, their elected representatives and companies. We hope it will be taken seriously by the various stakeholders because for too long, the complex nature of the station area has prevented the authorities from making a bold, forward-looking decision. While we humbly accept that we--as students--do not have all the answers, it is time for the stakeholders to make the hard choices that cannot be avoided any longer. | ||
| - | <WRAP center round box 3.5%> | + | <WRAP center round box 2.5%> |
| - | [[start:1-france:b-redesigning|Back]] | + | [[start:1-france:b-redesigning:solution|Top]] |
| </WRAP> | </WRAP> | ||
| + | ---- | ||
start/1-france/b-redesigning/solution.1419979366.txt.gz · Last modified: 2014/12/30 23:42 by antony
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