Now Will GDOT Seriously Consider Commuter Rail? (Atlanta, Columbus: 2015, house)

[evannole]

I like it, cq. Agree with primaltech that it'd be nice to have a station right in Vinings Village, but squeezing both a station and the requisite parking, as you noted, into that area would probably be difficult, and probably impossible without invoking eminent domain.

I would use the Marietta Square station at least once or twice a week, and maybe more often, if the connection downtown to MARTA were convenient enough.

[whodean]

If the Cumberland station is going to be P&R it needs to be located better, preferably closer to I75. Traffic is already miserable at that T intersection.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by whodean

If the Cumberland station is going to be P&R it needs to be located better, preferably closer to I75. Traffic is already miserable at that T intersection.

Where is there existing railroad closer to I-75? The idea is not capture commuters before the get to I-75, closer to where they live.

[whodean]

Originally Posted by cqholt

The idea is not capture commuters before the get to I-75, closer to where they live.

Good point. Doesn't have to be closer to 75, but I still feel that particular property is a poor choice for a P&R

[primaltech]

The only way there would be parking at the Cumberland station is if they bought up and demo'd the bank and the Hampton Inn. Or maybe the Chuck E Cheese's (connected to the platform by that already existing pedestrian bridge there.)

Or maybe if they worked out some kind of deal with the Macy's surface parking lot across the street.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by primaltech

The only way there would be parking at the Cumberland station is if they bought up and demo'd the bank and the Hampton Inn. Or maybe the Chuck E Cheese's (connected to the platform by that already existing pedestrian bridge there.)

Or maybe if they worked out some kind of deal with the Macy's surface parking lot across the street.

That is exactly what I am proposing in my plan. No reason for those parcels to be low density.

[primaltech]

I so wish I could snap my fingers and bring your proposed line into existence. It's that good, and it's that needed.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by primaltech

I so wish I could snap my fingers and bring your proposed line into existence. It's that good, and it's that needed.

See, who says I hate OTP and Cobb County. I just planned their commuter line for FREE!

[primaltech]

Eventually, Phase 2, the line should be extended 2 more stops into Bartow County, Emerson/Allatoona station (right on I-75), and Cartersville station, which is a pretty big town.

Then, Line #2 would serve South Cobb and Paulding- it would share the Knight Park/Howell Station stop, then have its next stop at Oakdale Rd @ 285, then Mableton, Austell, Powder Springs, Hiram, Dallas.

Line #3 would serve all stations up to Marietta, then it would branch off and have stations at Sandy Plains (Piedmont Rd), Noonday (Shallowford Rd), Woodstock, Holly Springs, Canton.

And all these lines would run at 15 minute frequencies, with rapid stops, level boarding, same design as the RTD system. Then the NW corridor would really be set. And this wouldn't even cost that much, or require that much construction.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by primaltech

Eventually, Phase 2, the line should be extended 2 more stops into Bartow County, Emerson/Allatoona station (right on I-75), and Cartersville station, which is a pretty big town.

Then, Line #2 would serve South Cobb and Paulding- it would share the Knight Park/Howell Station stop, then have its next stop at Oakdale Rd @ 285, then Mableton, Austell, Powder Springs, Hiram, Dallas.

Line #3 would serve all stations up to Marietta, then it would branch off and have stations at Sandy Plains (Piedmont Rd), Noonday (Shallowford Rd), Woodstock, Holly Springs, Canton.

And all these lines would run at 15 minute frequencies, with rapid stops, level boarding, same design as the RTD system. Then the NW corridor would really be set. And this wouldn't even cost that much, or require that much construction.

Honestly, there is little reason to run a train from Cartersville to Atlanta every 15 minutes, all day. Between Marietta and Atlanta, yes mimic RTD A-line service. But the others should act more like traditional Commuter Rail since there is little need for reverse commutes to Dallas or Acworth. Atlanta to Cartersville is intercity with higher headways.