[COM] Rundle Street Streetscape Upgrade

[monotonehell]

In addition to this how about my ancient idea of realigning Rundle Road with Grenfell Street? Which is where most of the traffic goes from that intersection anyway.
http://users.on.net/~c0pkf48/EasternConnectorsMap.jpg

Makes sense, at least the Grenfell Street alignment. Not sure about the Wakefield alignment though.

You can ignore everything in the South part, there was a much better Brit Roundabout solution posted before I completed this diagram.

The Inner Ring Route goes along Greenhill Road, " "

Yeah I never finished this diagram, as I said above there was a better southern solution posted so I abandoned it.

[Prince George]

Also, how exactly do they plan on increasing both the number of on street car parks and alfresco areas simultaneously?

Why, by dining in our cars, of course.

[bm7500]

Why not make Rundle Street 1 way to traffic?

That way the additional space could allow for more alfresco areas, Street Trees and parking.

[Wayno]

Why not make Rundle Street 1 way to traffic?

traffic could travel E>W from 2am-12pm, close for 2 hours, then travel W>E from 2pm-12am, close for 2 hours...

[Shuz]

Rundle Street; Adelaide's one-way, shared-use, interchangable-direction, on-street-parking, restricted-speed roadway?

[Norman]

Why not close off Rundle Street to traffic fullstop?

[monotonehell]

Why not close off Rundle Street to traffic fullstop?

I would be all for that. Except my only stumbling blocks have been the two car parks that empty into it at the Pulteney Street end. I supposed we'd have to keep that block for traffic... Or a shared zone?

Redirecting Rundle Road to Grenfell and pedestrianising the eastern section sounds like a good start.

[Shuz]

I second that motion.

[Wayno]

I was in Rundle St with the family for a couple of hours today. Also when to Rymill Lake to play with my remote-control boat (under the pretence of the boat being entertaining for my child!)

Had a great time, wandered up/down looking at the various stalls. Bumped into some friends and we stopped for a coffee/chat. Went into the "Chocolat" shop and spent $1.80 on a little pleasure - mmmm fattening! We also took the time to talk with several stall owners - it was interesting learning about the background on the products they are selling - a couple of stall owners were very surprised by our 'gregariousness' (if that's a word), and took the opportunity to really get into the conversation

So back to the upgrade: Having visited and looked at the street with fresh eyes, i'm now more in favour of a true shared space, and less in favour of removing cars altogether from the street. sure, pave the road, remove the firm "gutter boundary" between road/pavement, reduce the speed limit to 5km/h, and on occasion close the road to traffic altogether, but as a rule keep access open for all forms of transport (including 'hover boards'). Consider it a social experiment - it will force 'cultural change' on the people who use the space, and who knows - it might even catch on and be applied elsewhere in the city. A 5km/h limit will remove "through traffic" from Rundle St, which is a good result in itself. And of course it's easy to go the extra step and eliminate cars altogether if the experiment fails.

[jk1237]

Aparently last year, Rundle Street East traders were complaining about the Sunday markets caus they reckon they have better trading/sales when the street is open to cars rather than closed.

[Prince George]

Aparently last year, Rundle Street East traders were complaining about the Sunday markets caus they reckon they have better trading/sales when the street is open to cars rather than closed.

I wonder if that's code for "we have better sales when there's no competition"?

[AtD]

I'm going to engage in blasphemy and suggest that 'pure' shared space is not ideal for Rundle Street. The barrier of a 10cm high curb is important psychologically for a pedestrian to deem they are safe. I also can see problems arising with illegal parking and loading in what is currently the footpath.

If the road were closed to traffic, the Hungry Jacks and Target Car Parks would need to be modified. The HJs car park could be made to load from the south quite easily as there's already a entrance on York Street. The Target car park would be a lot more difficult...

...so it should be converted into apartments!

[Tyler_Durden]

Plenty of good suggestions here.

I personally like the idea to make Rundle Street one way. There was a discussion about it on here a few years ago and I can't remember any negatives to the idea. On the positive side it will assist reduce its use as a through road - making it more pedestrian friendly. All you need is one lane in one direction, leaving more space for footpath, dining, art, whetever. The only reason to drive down it are to find parking, for service deliveries and for some to show off their car and their bad taste in music. Adding some pedestrian crossings will also help to stop through traffic because it will slow the traffic down, again making it more pedestrian friendly and much easier to cross the road.

The traders may complain that less traffic means less cutom, but surely what they need it foot traffic, not car traffic.

Realigning Rundle Road is a great idea too.

[olliepee]

love the idea of one-way rundle st, with more outdoor seating for cafes / space for trading. Ever since I moved to Adelaide i've wondered when someone would bring this up... It seems obvious to me.

my girlfriend has a shop on rundle street and I know they all would welcome the idea... and for the record; the retailers weren't angry at stopping traffic, they were angry that the ACC didn't listen to them and have the market on the premiere trading day Saturday.

[fishinajar]

Aparently last year, Rundle Street East traders were complaining about the Sunday markets caus they reckon they have better trading/sales when the street is open to cars rather than closed.

I wonder if that's code for "we have better sales when there's no competition"?

You are correct sir!

My personal preference for Rundle Street:
Two lanes, no parking (how many parks do you get anyway? Plus the delays with Adeladians attempts at parrallel parking), occasional taxi pick-up/drop-off points, and as suggested by Wayno-yes no gutter, maybe bollards intead? (whole uninterupted level space) reduced speed limit: maybe 10Km/hr not 5. This would all be more practical for the Sunday Markets and any other community events from time to time aswell.
Plus: Plant some trees please!