Edmonton Public Transit

[Coldrsx]

Edmonton is quite lax in my view when it comes to towing, ticketing etc...

I personally get right pissed when a car is in a rush hour lane from 3-6pm and it is not towed.

[mooky]

I have no problem with any city tagging cars that park illegally. I do however have a problem *if* they are literally sitting there, watching you and a dozen or 2 others park illegally, and waiting to ticket you after you leave. What kind of society does that really reflect where you can't help someone because it's your job to screw them over instead of perhaps being helpful?

I have no idea of the actual incident above, but if that many cars are getting towed (in a lot) for not parking in a designated space, perhaps there is a problem with signage, or lack of it. 20 cars don't to my mind fit in a small space. In the winter mall parking lot lines/rows go to — when covered in snow, it happens, and people follow the already established, but not correct pattern.

Tag them if enforcement is not around at the time as normal; tag those in the community parking if there is a parking permit system implemented to prevent community parkers who spill out of lots (some Calgary communities do this), but don't wait and prey on those that anecdotally seem to be parking in what might appear to be but otherwise isn't legitimate parking, uncool!

[DAVEinEDMONTON]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

If you can tie your shoes you can learn where and when to park and how to operate a meter.

Better yet, move downtown and dont worry about parking

Alternative, take transit

As a last resort visit Toronto or Vancouver and dont worry about getting a ticket but have fun with the Tow company and getting your car out of the lot.

Christ

Not so, some people never seem to know how to properly park at a meter. I was waiting at a red light at 6:00 in the evening to turn and park at one of three available spots on 102 avenue outside of Citycentre mall a few weeks back. While I was waiting for the light to turn, one car took the first spot and then a few seconds later, another car grabbed the third spot leaving the middle spot which normally would be fine. However, the first driver (chatting on her cell phone no less...) parked about 5 feet into the second spot. The second driver parked about about 4 feet into my stall. I basically had to get out of my car and tell both drivers to move their respective cars and park properly.

I certainly wish these types of drivers would receive a parking ticket for improper parking and taking two stalls especially when street parking can be hard to find sometimes.

[Coldrsx]

Cheers

[rapid_business]

Interesting to say the least. I'm surprised the city is as bold to suggest eliminating all auto lanes on 102 in substitute for LRT and bike lanes? I don't think this option will gain much traction, but I like their foresight. Realistically, we'll likely see the same old approach of mixed bike lanes and traffic, without a line separating the two, but maybe not.

I like the idea of the MacEwan station cutting through the block at a 45 deg. angle as it could give way to a cool pedestrian plaza and interesting design options, as well as being a better option to reduce conflicts with auto traffic. But considering this will mean more $$ because of land aquisitions, I'm not sure how favourable an option it is. Although, the transportation dept could get behind the angled station and 'railroad' it through (pun intended).

[GreenSPACE]

They are not seriously considering the diagonal cut through the 107st/108 street block for the Grant MacEwan station...

[Coldrsx]

^yes, but i think it will be rejected as a certain intelligent attendee mentioned how inefficient the remaining parcels would be for anything.

[DKaz]

Why wouldn't the remaining parcels be useful? They could build something akin to Tinseltown in Vancouver BC or Crystal Mall in Burnaby BC, both are mixed residential with commercial on the bottom and both have public plazas and a pedestrian corridor cutting diagonally through them. This would create a wonderful opportunity to develop a good central pedestrian friendly hub with an LRT station right in the heart of it, although the second option of having the station right in front of Grant Macewan College will certainly better serve
the students.

Tinseltown:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s...23.106323&spn=0.001823,0.005284&t=h&z=18

Crystal Mall:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s...89,-123.004678&spn=0.00365,0.010568&z=17

BTW, I love the three platform design.

[noodlenoodle]

It's not that the remaining parcels are inefficient, it's that it's more difficult to do something efficient with unconventional shapes.

I'd much prefer the diagonal, with the unique challenges met with solutions that are appropriate for the mix of students and residents. Some targetted retail (coffee, convenience, bookstore) light food service would do well with people being brought literally to their door 18 hours a day.

[Coldrsx]

^^

did you just use tinseltown as a 'good example' of anything? BAHHAHAHA....

I think it could be creatively developed but it is a justified concern given that we want more density in this area and keeping the station on 104ave would allow this entire block to be almost completely filled in.

[DKaz]

Originally Posted by noodlenoodle

I'd much prefer the diagonal, with the unique challenges met with solutions that are appropriate for the mix of students and residents. Some targetted retail (coffee, convenience, bookstore) light food service would do well with people being brought literally to their door 18 hours a day.

Exactly, nothing more urban than getting off at the station on the way home from work, picking up a fresh loaf of bread or baguette and some meat/fish and fresh veggies for dinner. Actually it might be a return to the good old days, but I will never buy more veggies than I need for dinner as it'll eventually spoil in the fridge.

[bulliver]

Outside the box!


There's never enough time (in B&W) by kennymatic, on Flickr

[Coldrsx]

^i was thinking more this... has more Disney.


(http://www.concretetech.com/project%20reports/images/disneymonorail.jpg)

[MrOilers]

The intersection at 109 St in option 1 looks like it would be a mess with the station next to MacEwan.

It's attractive to have a station at the center of MacEwan's campus, but I can't help but wonder if moving the station West of 109 St (in front of Robbins Center) would be a better option?

I also don't like the station sitting diagonally on that block.

[noodlenoodle]

Originally Posted by MrOilers

It's attractive to have a station at the center of MacEwan's campus, but I can't help but wonder if moving the station West of 109 St (in front of Robbins Center) would be a better option?

Given that the zigzag has to occur it makes more sense to put it where it is, rather than have the train decelerate for curve /accelerate for 2 blocks/slow to a stop for station (or vice versa).

The route has to be on 104 Ave before 108 St & as such I'd prefer the diagonal to the traffic-snarling conventional option.

[CMD UW]

The diagonal isn't optimal imo. Like others have mentioned it creates some odd remnant parcels which would prove to be difficult to redevelop. It also reduces sightlines to the station from the adjacent public roads which could be an issue.

I think integrating the station at MacEwan'ss front door is a much better option given that this is the primary destination.

[DKaz]

Ding ding we have a debate!

[noodlenoodle]

Originally Posted by CMD UW

The diagonal isn't optimal imo. Like others have mentioned it creates some odd remnant parcels which would prove to be difficult to redevelop. It also reduces sightlines to the station from the adjacent public roads which could be an issue.

I think integrating the station at MacEwan'ss front door is a much better option given that this is the primary destination.

Given Norquest's still proceeding expansion plans, wouldn't it be optimal to ensure that both educational institutions have convenient access to transit, especially given the lack of options for Norquest students for parking in comparison to the MU parkade?

The addition of a full-traffic-shutdown for the train to get onto the far side of 104 St will make traffic a nightmare especially if we build the arena a half dozen blocks away. It'd be like if the NELRT crossed 118 at grade at Colliseum

[Coldrsx]

^disagree. Lights can be timed to make it work. Plus... norquest students would only have to walk about 100' further to the GMAC station.

[noodlenoodle]

Even with lights, at peak times you're going to be looking at a reduction of the flow at that point of 104 Ave of 15-20% at peak times (1 minute intersection cycle every 5 minutes, allowing for overlaps. While the train has priority zero other movements will occur) while placing larger stresses on the roadway like the Arena, EPCOR and all the other stuff being built on the North Edge.

Just seems a little counterproductive, which makes it perfect for this town in retrospect. Forget what I said, let's do it the easy, ugly, inefficient and shortsighted way.