EDP404 pt.2. Stony Brook Station. Literature & Language Essay

Stony Brook Station
Dong Xia
EDP 404
[Date]
Stony Brook Station
Abstract
Stony Brook LIRR train station is one of the stations that were established in the 1990s and has stood up to date. Changes and redesigning should be continuously done to keep stations moving with the changes and developments in society; Stony Brook has not redesigned since its establishment. The technology that was used to put it up was the old one considering that technology keeps on advancing day in day out. Some of the technology that was used is now considered analog yet people still have to use the facility even with the deplorable state that it is now. This, however, does not mean that the station is in the worst state that is not fit for use. This prompted the redesigning of the facility for it to serve the people even more comprehensively and efficiently. This work, therefore, gives an in-depth analysis of Stony Brook Station. It explores the current state and highlights the need for it to be redesigned.
Redesigning, however, comes after recommendations have been put forward and implemented. This piece recommends that the station adopts new technology that will see it compete with top companies in providing transport services to the people. Adopting new technology will ensure that the inconveniences that were being experienced often in the past are put into a stop. The station also needs to expand to accommodate the growing population and hence build a new bus shelter besides expanding the car and bike parking spaces. The final result is a station that serves the population very well and one that the customers find it worth using its services over and over.
Precedent Study
The internet is flooded with praises of outstanding stations that have earned recognition awards for giving the best services besides having the best facilities. I researched some of them. I sampled three of them where I compared the information they have on the internet and did online research only for the remaining two. The stations I sampled are Downtown Transit Station situated in Charlottesville in Virginia, Réseau Express Métropolitain (REM) found in Montreal in Canada, Victoria Park Bus Terminal, and lastly, Aventura Train Station.
Victoria Park Bus Terminal won an urban design award in Toronto. I visited this station and it deserved the award. Designing was completed in the year 2011. It replaced the old initial elevated bus bays with a new, expanded, and upgraded terminal which boosted the accessibility of the station, even more, environmental conservation as well as connections to the surrounding. For the first time, the station was exposed to natural light, and passengers can now have a great view of the surrounding landscape while remaining safe in the station. The award was given in September 2013 with the Toronto Urban Design Awards giving reasons that the designer considered crucial factors of ecology during renovation planning. The station is very comfortable to the extent that passengers take time touring it before boarding. It has ensured the loyalty of passengers who ensure they use the facility anytime they are commuting. New users of the station get an experience worth keeping for future memories too. I personally long to visit the station once again in the future (Renne, 2009).
Figure 1: Victoria Park Bus Terminal
The second station is the Réseau Express Métropolitain (REM), which means a metropolitan express network in French. REM is still under construction but the progress so far is positive. Once completed the station is expected to serve a very large population in the bigger Montreal in Canada. It is expected to serve passengers commuting from the international airport and the train station in the city’s central business district. It is expected to serve the population from the neighboring suburbs that have not had been connected to proper transport services. This project however received resistance from different stakeholders and other critiques who claim that it is a project that aimed at boosting the real estate business and not improving the transport system. They claim that no study was done during the planning stage of this project to compare it with other transport system projects. Despite the critics opposing this project, its significance cannot be downplayed. The suburban that has not been connected to the public transit system will now enjoy the privilege. The aim of any transport station is aligned to increasing business activities and REM is not different too (Diab et al., 2019).
Figure 2: Réseau Express Métropolitain (REM)
Downtown Transit Station is where I did another precedent study. The station combines two functions of transit and visitor centers for the resident of Charlottesville and its environs. It’s a point that facilitates intermodal transfer linking buses, trolleys, and bicycle transports. The design of the building has an open stair that connects two different floors. It also has a glass that allows light to enter into the building and passengers can enjoy it. This station is an improvement that gives the passengers a chance to enjoy themselves from the different attractions now available in the facility (Lai et al., 2019).
Figure 3: Downtown Transit Station
Overview of site plan
Figure 4: Aerial image of Stony Brook LIRR Train Station
The things I would change in this station include;
* The fencing
* Build a new bus shelter
* Construct aids for the physically impaired like the blind and the crippled
* Give clear navigation maps and directions
* Improve the use of technology
* Keep vegetation neat
* Cut down dangerously overgrown trees
* Clear the grass on the footpaths
* Enhance and expand the car and bike parking
* Install LED screens on strategic positions of the station
* Improve the station’s cleanliness
Design Recommendation
Stony Brook Station is situated in a place that is metropolitan and is inhabited by all walks of life but mainly youths due to the Stony Brook University situated just adjacent to Stony Brook Station. Stony Brook Station, therefore, has the potential to serve this population better than it is right now. Stony Brook Station needs a total renovation to serve its purpose the best. This will only be possible if the recommendations I am going to discuss here are taken into consideration.
Cleanliness
The first impression that catches the eye and body while entering the station is overgrown grass along the footpaths. This is dangerous for the station’s image. The footpaths while navigating the station are not comfortable at all. The grass is overgrown and might host dangerous creatures that might hurt the passengers and well as the staff in the station. This only drives away the passengers into other stations. Stony Brook Station needs a serious cleaning strategy that will ensure the station's premises is ever kept tidy. This will be possible through contracting an outside company to oversee the tidiness in the station. Many stations that are doing great are using this strategy and their cleanliness does not disappoint.
Trees make the environment beautiful. It helps in purifying the air and makes it fresh and clear of any impurities. Overgrown trees, however, are dangerous for the safety of the passengers and the workers within the station. There are trees within Stony Brook Station that are overgrown and which pose cleanliness issues in case of strong winds and when there is dry season due to falling tree leaves. The trees are close to where cars and bikes are parked meaning leaves fall on the cars making them dirty and even causing rust. This damages the vehicles of the clients. Human life is also in danger due to these trees shedding leaves. They pose health problems when they decompose and come in contact with the human body. Stony Brook Station, therefore, needs to have a new strategy of planting and maintaining trees in a way that they do not pose a danger to the population in and around it besides keeping the environment clean all the time. The planted trees should be from species like cypress that do not overgrow and can easily be monitore...