Comments on: Diamondback: Campus Drive is Best for Purple Line http://rethinkcollegepark.net/blog/2008/563/ Helping imagine a great college town for a great university Fri, 25 Jan 2013 04:03:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Trey http://rethinkcollegepark.net/blog/2008/563/comment-page-1/#comment-107160 Trey Sat, 17 May 2008 05:58:17 +0000 http://rethinkcollegepark.net/blog/2008/563/#comment-107160 Although the campus’s transportation services have dramatically changed (for the better) over the past few years, considerably since the bus system has extensively changed its’ routes and has added more stops, there is a still a need for an improvement to the system. The purple line would dramatically improve the apparent lack of transportation on campus, as well as bring a more easily accessible route on to, as well as off campus, that to say the least, can at times be a hassle. The best plan, which is the proposal that would place the purple line through the heart of the university, would expand the Campus Drive to accommodate the purple rail. However, despite Campus Drive being the most convenient place for the line, it is quite hard to fathom such a road and place that is already extremely crowded and condensed. The proposed plan would in fact have the light rail be placed on the same place as where the cars would be able to drive over the ground when the rail is not present (similar to that of Baltimore’s system). Right now with the current bussing system there can be very late waits for the busses to arrive, especially when pertaining to the stops that are off campus and further from the center of the campus. The purple line, which would complete a transit from the metro and all the way to 193, would dramatically enhance the accessibility of travel throughout the College Park metropolis. Right now, many graduate students live off of 193 and Metzerott road and most have to drive to on campus classes because the walk is at least 2-3 miles at the if they’re lucky. The system that is in effect right now with busses coming periodically throughout the day (typically 15 min intervals) can be very inconvenient. At times the shuttles stop at nights and on weekends not allowing many students to reach on-campus or going back to off-campus housing at certain times. The easily accessible purple line will enable students that live off campus to get on campus in a much easier manner that will be much more efficient with less time for error (the bus system is often times inconsistent). The line will also allow for the easier traveling to and from on campus to off campus sites that were not reachable by shuttle before (193 and Metzerott etc.) however, this will also allow for the quicker traveling to and from the Metro without the hassle of the shuttles only coming every 25 min. With the purple line, the traveling will not be confined to certain shorts loops and routes, but expanded to a whole new larger and broader system that would allow for more frequent stops but also allow for travel on the bus system as well (to more specific locations). The construction of the purple line will overall enhance he traffic on, to and from campus and would create a dramatic improvement to the University of Maryland and the city of College Park as a whole. Although the campus’s transportation services have dramatically changed (for the better) over the past few years, considerably since the bus system has extensively changed its’ routes and has added more stops, there is a still a need for an improvement to the system. The purple line would dramatically improve the apparent lack of transportation on campus, as well as bring a more easily accessible route on to, as well as off campus, that to say the least, can at times be a hassle. The best plan, which is the proposal that would place the purple line through the heart of the university, would expand the Campus Drive to accommodate the purple rail. However, despite Campus Drive being the most convenient place for the line, it is quite hard to fathom such a road and place that is already extremely crowded and condensed. The proposed plan would in fact have the light rail be placed on the same place as where the cars would be able to drive over the ground when the rail is not present (similar to that of Baltimore’s system). Right now with the current bussing system there can be very late waits for the busses to arrive, especially when pertaining to the stops that are off campus and further from the center of the campus. The purple line, which would complete a transit from the metro and all the way to 193, would dramatically enhance the accessibility of travel throughout the College Park metropolis. Right now, many graduate students live off of 193 and Metzerott road and most have to drive to on campus classes because the walk is at least 2-3 miles at the if they’re lucky. The system that is in effect right now with busses coming periodically throughout the day (typically 15 min intervals) can be very inconvenient. At times the shuttles stop at nights and on weekends not allowing many students to reach on-campus or going back to off-campus housing at certain times. The easily accessible purple line will enable students that live off campus to get on campus in a much easier manner that will be much more efficient with less time for error (the bus system is often times inconsistent). The line will also allow for the easier traveling to and from on campus to off campus sites that were not reachable by shuttle before (193 and Metzerott etc.) however, this will also allow for the quicker traveling to and from the Metro without the hassle of the shuttles only coming every 25 min. With the purple line, the traveling will not be confined to certain shorts loops and routes, but expanded to a whole new larger and broader system that would allow for more frequent stops but also allow for travel on the bus system as well (to more specific locations). The construction of the purple line will overall enhance he traffic on, to and from campus and would create a dramatic improvement to the University of Maryland and the city of College Park as a whole.

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]]> By: Lauren Kaufman http://rethinkcollegepark.net/blog/2008/563/comment-page-1/#comment-107151 Lauren Kaufman Sat, 17 May 2008 04:29:13 +0000 http://rethinkcollegepark.net/blog/2008/563/#comment-107151 I do not think that the Purple Line should run through Campus Drive. First of all, I don’t see aesthetics as the big issue here – I don’t think that a light rail line will necessarily threaten the character or feel of campus as a whole. In fact, I think it might look very sleek. I just think that there are many issues that aren’t being seriously considered. First of all, I don’t believe that adding the purple line will not decrease on-campus traffic. People love to drive if it is more convenient for them. Students who live off campus may not necessarily be close enough to a purple line stop to warrant utilization of it. For example, if a student may have to drive to a purple line station, find parking there, wait for a purple line train, and pay a daily fee, when they could easily drive their car directly to campus. Housing near the purple line stops will probably become extremely expensive and difficult to acquire due to high demand, and students will still continue to live far off campus and rely on their cars. Therefore, all of the traffic that clogs up Campus Drive will have to find somewhere else to go – it will not just disappear because of the Purple Line. This will make traffic much worse in other areas like Stadium Drive. Also, the purple line will allow anyone on campus at any time, causing a decrease in security. The security guards at the gates now who check cars after dark are obviously there for a reason, but you cannot check for ID from everyone on a purple line rail car. The strategies used by developers in creating the redeveloped East Campus area create a more Aristotlean space, full of both public and private areas, including a proposed purple line stop, that will be integrated well. Hopefully this area will differ from the Nietzschean feel of the rest of College Park. If there was a better utilization of space surrounding the other purple line stops, then perhaps it would be beneficial to construct it, because more students would be able to live in areas where they wouldn’t even feel the need to have a car on campus, due to the presence of nearby shops and a purple line station. Yet it would be impossible to have these kinds of developments all over the place. I can only really see students benefitting from the purple line if they commute from Montgomery County or live on East Campus. I do not think that the Purple Line should run through Campus Drive. First of all, I don’t see aesthetics as the big issue here – I don’t think that a light rail line will necessarily threaten the character or feel of campus as a whole. In fact, I think it might look very sleek. I just think that there are many issues that aren’t being seriously considered.
First of all, I don’t believe that adding the purple line will not decrease on-campus traffic. People love to drive if it is more convenient for them. Students who live off campus may not necessarily be close enough to a purple line stop to warrant utilization of it. For example, if a student may have to drive to a purple line station, find parking there, wait for a purple line train, and pay a daily fee, when they could easily drive their car directly to campus. Housing near the purple line stops will probably become extremely expensive and difficult to acquire due to high demand, and students will still continue to live far off campus and rely on their cars.
Therefore, all of the traffic that clogs up Campus Drive will have to find somewhere else to go – it will not just disappear because of the Purple Line. This will make traffic much worse in other areas like Stadium Drive.
Also, the purple line will allow anyone on campus at any time, causing a decrease in security. The security guards at the gates now who check cars after dark are obviously there for a reason, but you cannot check for ID from everyone on a purple line rail car.
The strategies used by developers in creating the redeveloped East Campus area create a more Aristotlean space, full of both public and private areas, including a proposed purple line stop, that will be integrated well. Hopefully this area will differ from the Nietzschean feel of the rest of College Park. If there was a better utilization of space surrounding the other purple line stops, then perhaps it would be beneficial to construct it, because more students would be able to live in areas where they wouldn’t even feel the need to have a car on campus, due to the presence of nearby shops and a purple line station. Yet it would be impossible to have these kinds of developments all over the place. I can only really see students benefitting from the purple line if they commute from Montgomery County or live on East Campus.

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]]> By: Sadia Malik http://rethinkcollegepark.net/blog/2008/563/comment-page-1/#comment-107148 Sadia Malik Sat, 17 May 2008 04:06:37 +0000 http://rethinkcollegepark.net/blog/2008/563/#comment-107148 This is really good news! Campus Drive is convenient and accessible place for commuters. After some prior research on this issue, many concerns have been presented such as: traffic and pedestrian safety. Two major problems!! Well after looking more into the issue, the train will have brakes!! And even without the purple rail being present, as of right now, pedestrians are bound to get hurt by cars that students are driving. Professional drivers will be put behind the wheels of the purple line trains (hopefully). And secondly, yes there will be major traffic re-routing due to construction. A great solution to help prevent too much traffic is to have the University hold meetings for students and faculty. Also emails should be sent out to students prior to the school day to let everyone know what roads closed and what are opened. I have to admit, that yes traffic is bound to happen but the end result will be a beautiful efficient form of transformation for both commuters and on campus students. This is really good news! Campus Drive is convenient and accessible place for commuters.
After some prior research on this issue, many concerns have been presented such as: traffic and pedestrian safety. Two major problems!! Well after looking more into the issue, the train will have brakes!! And even without the purple rail being present, as of right now, pedestrians are bound to get hurt by cars that students are driving. Professional drivers will be put behind the wheels of the purple line trains (hopefully). And secondly, yes there will be major traffic re-routing due to construction. A great solution to help prevent too much traffic is to have the University hold meetings for students and faculty. Also emails should be sent out to students prior to the school day to let everyone know what roads closed and what are opened. I have to admit, that yes traffic is bound to happen but the end result will be a beautiful efficient form of transformation for both commuters and on campus students.

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]]> By: Patrick Porter http://rethinkcollegepark.net/blog/2008/563/comment-page-1/#comment-107146 Patrick Porter Sat, 17 May 2008 03:51:39 +0000 http://rethinkcollegepark.net/blog/2008/563/#comment-107146 I agree that the Purple Line should run through Campus Dr. as well and I think it is the obvious choice. When coming from a commuter’s perspective that is in walking distance of Metro in DC, this will further encourage them to take the Metro as a substitute for driving. If, for example, the Purple Line were located on an extreme of the campus, some student might rather take a short drive than to use the Metro and then walk another 25 minutes to class. This location gives prospective students a more available opportunity to go to DC as well. Some students I know have barely been to our nation’s capital at all and we’re right next to it! They don’t feel like taking the bus and waiting for the Metro, but if it right in the middle of campus, many more would be inclined to go. I also think that for students as well as citizens in the DC area getting off of the Metro to visit our campus would be greater pleased if on Campus Drive. It is the best-kept and most visually appealing part of campus. It presents a real front stage atmosphere and ignores the over-piled trashcans and run-down sidewalks in other areas of the campus. Most of all, this allows DC residents to easily come admire our sporting events, concerts, and anything going on at the University of Maryland and further widens the variability of visitors to our campus, and inevitably proves to be a positive effect on our reputation. I agree that the Purple Line should run through Campus Dr. as well and I think it is the obvious choice. When coming from a commuter’s perspective that is in walking distance of Metro in DC, this will further encourage them to take the Metro as a substitute for driving. If, for example, the Purple Line were located on an extreme of the campus, some student might rather take a short drive than to use the Metro and then walk another 25 minutes to class.
This location gives prospective students a more available opportunity to go to DC as well. Some students I know have barely been to our nation’s capital at all and we’re right next to it! They don’t feel like taking the bus and waiting for the Metro, but if it right in the middle of campus, many more would be inclined to go.
I also think that for students as well as citizens in the DC area getting off of the Metro to visit our campus would be greater pleased if on Campus Drive. It is the best-kept and most visually appealing part of campus. It presents a real front stage atmosphere and ignores the over-piled trashcans and run-down sidewalks in other areas of the campus.
Most of all, this allows DC residents to easily come admire our sporting events, concerts, and anything going on at the University of Maryland and further widens the variability of visitors to our campus, and inevitably proves to be a positive effect on our reputation.

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]]> By: Nakita M-HISP200 http://rethinkcollegepark.net/blog/2008/563/comment-page-1/#comment-107131 Nakita M-HISP200 Sat, 17 May 2008 03:02:20 +0000 http://rethinkcollegepark.net/blog/2008/563/#comment-107131 The idea of the Purple Line going through campus is nice, however I do not believe it is applicable for the College Park campus. After looking at this website, others, and thinking back on my classmate's projects on the topic, I am still trying to figure out, what is the purpose of the light rail? Sure it would be make Silver Spring, Bethesda, and DC, more accessible, however will students really take advantage of this system? I believe in the beginning when it's new everyone will be excited to use it, yet after a year or two, it will be more convienient for non-CP students/ residents. Would it really make parking better? I'm a commuter and yes traffic is horrible on Campus Drive at the top of each hour (that's why I avoid it), nonetheless I do not see myself using the Purple Line. If I do not park on campus, I would have to leave my car at the metro center and still pay a fee to use their garage. Even on the simulations, there would be more traffic than shown because of everyone entering and waiting to leave the campus. So the beautiful trees and few people walking around, wouldn't be the case. My main concern is the construction and all the chaos that it will cause. Even with detours, students will hear the construction in the nearby classrooms like Jimenez Hall or the apartments (i.e. St. Mary's Hall). How will the detours affect the local metro buses and their routes and so forth? In conclusion, I believe the government and the University could be using this funding in another and better way. This project will only benefit a few. For example, they could spend it on more housing for their students and better lighting across the campus. Some of the concerns were crime and we are already an open campus, so they are inviting more and more people onto campus. Since students tend to walk around in the late hours, with such dim lights they are susceptible to robbery and other crimes that plague the campus and surrounding area. In the end, I feel that the University is looking at dollar signs more than what the actual students need during their years on campus. Even with the Purple Line, Campus Drive or whichever street they decide to put the light rail on, traffic will be horrible. This will be like that picture of Cabrini Green we saw in class. The light rail is the beautiful homes and in the back the projects, which would be all the other problems the University need to tackle, yet the light rail would be an asethetic and helpful for non-CP people. The idea of the Purple Line going through campus is nice, however I do not believe it is applicable for the College Park campus. After looking at this website, others, and thinking back on my classmate’s projects on the topic, I am still trying to figure out, what is the purpose of the light rail? Sure it would be make Silver Spring, Bethesda, and DC, more accessible, however will students really take advantage of this system? I believe in the beginning when it’s new everyone will be excited to use it, yet after a year or two, it will be more convienient for non-CP students/ residents. Would it really make parking better? I’m a commuter and yes traffic is horrible on Campus Drive at the top of each hour (that’s why I avoid it), nonetheless I do not see myself using the Purple Line. If I do not park on campus, I would have to leave my car at the metro center and still pay a fee to use their garage. Even on the simulations, there would be more traffic than shown because of everyone entering and waiting to leave the campus. So the beautiful trees and few people walking around, wouldn’t be the case.
My main concern is the construction and all the chaos that it will cause. Even with detours, students will hear the construction in the nearby classrooms like Jimenez Hall or the apartments (i.e. St. Mary’s Hall). How will the detours affect the local metro buses and their routes and so forth?
In conclusion, I believe the government and the University could be using this funding in another and better way. This project will only benefit a few. For example, they could spend it on more housing for their students and better lighting across the campus. Some of the concerns were crime and we are already an open campus, so they are inviting more and more people onto campus. Since students tend to walk around in the late hours, with such dim lights they are susceptible to robbery and other crimes that plague the campus and surrounding area. In the end, I feel that the University is looking at dollar signs more than what the actual students need during their years on campus. Even with the Purple Line, Campus Drive or whichever street they decide to put the light rail on, traffic will be horrible. This will be like that picture of Cabrini Green we saw in class. The light rail is the beautiful homes and in the back the projects, which would be all the other problems the University need to tackle, yet the light rail would be an asethetic and helpful for non-CP people.

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