COTA Austin - construction and infrastructure

[hairy_scotsman]

Things will go pretty fast here up until the end, and then it will seem like it all comes to a halt again as they're wrapping up all the loose ends.

The things that I'd like to see get underway are the main north/south road and the team suites.

There were going to be 14 suites. Now there's only 1. The teams will be in temporary buildings.

[Pup]

That wouldn't be the end of the world, since most of the other flyaway races do the same.

Still, if you've got time to build one, then don't you have time to build 14? It's just residential construction and surely they can scrounge up 13 more housing contractors. They've got 5 months - shouldn't take more than three.

Jeez, just tell them the first guy to finish gets a $10k bonus.

Well, maybe they're more complex than I'm thinking they are. I assume they're no more so than the medical building.

[strad]

Pup
It's Ron's gold fixtures that are the problem.
Seriously,,I'm thinkin back to some article about Indy, but the standards were pretty high. Just the blue M&Ms ya know.

[Professor]

Hairy Guy, where did the one suite rather than 14 info come from. Thanks man. Keep pushing.

[sknguy]

Turn 1 is so damned awesome.

When I first saw the proposed layout I wasn't sure what the signature feature of the circuit would be, other than there being some interesting elements borrowed from other circuits. But now that things are shaping up I can see that turn-one will likely be the circuit's signature feature. It's gonna make for one helluva short braking zone. Would also be cool if the DRS zone were on the front straight. But that back straight might be too obvious for the planners.

Not sure what to think about the T10 kink though. I'm kinda partial to a sweeper being there. But that might provide too much of an advantage for cars with better top speed once they drag race down the back straight I suppose. I would think that one kilometer should be enough to overtake without DRS there. But if they do simulations, calculations or guesstimations it might prove otherwise. Either way, it should make for some interesting jostling through the complex after that straight.

It's an interesting circuit that's probably going to give the strategists some headaches. One is really going to have to know their car's strengths and which tires will work best. But at season's end and they should have things sussed out with their cars. It might not look like it but I think this is a very well balanced circuit. Knowing Tilke he's probably got some interesting cambers here and there too.

EDIT: I just had another thought. I love the uncertainty that the wear of the Pirellis have brought. But really their marbling is beginning to annoy me a bit. The marbles seem to be narrowing the overtaking zones at some circuits and is actually creating a bit of a hazard for the drivers. It looks like this should be about a 58-60ish lap race and with the balance that track seems to have I think that should make it interesting enough without the marbles.

[WilliamsF1]

Some info on the COTA on transportation

Transportation

Please continue to check here for the most current information:

A limited number of pre-paid parking permits—or the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) shuttle—will be the only way to access the COTA area during the 2012 FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX™. There will be no cash parking at the venue, and roads leading into CoTA will be restricted to vehicles displaying assigned parking or residential permits..

The recommended transportation to COTA is by the official shuttle bus network operated by COTA in partnership with the City of Austin, Travis County and Capital Metro. Check here soon for details on where to pick up the shuttle throughout the greater Austin area.

Parking permits may be purchased with your ticket purchase on a first-come, first-served basis. Please call (512) 301-6600 for ticket and parking information or purchase online here starting in June 2012.

If you will have an on-site parking permit, we recommend obtaining a TxTag (toll tag) for your vehicle prior to the event. This will ensure easy access to and from the COTA facility along Toll Road SH 130. You can sign up your vehicle here: http://www.txtag.org/
•Limousines (or any chauffeured vehicle) will be required to have proper licensing in order to operate in greater Austin. Please contact Marcy Cardona (administrative specialist) or call (512) 974-1551 for the City’s requirements. Properly licensed limos will require the proper parking placard to enter CoTA and must follow the parking instructions on the back of that placard to gain access. Limo operators can purchase their parking placard from COTA, or their client may have already purchased the parking placard. Please confer with your client.
•Taxi cabs will be required to have proper licensing in order to operate in greater Austin. Please contact Marcy Cardona or call (512) 974-1551 for the City’s requirements. Properly licensed taxis will then require the proper parking placard to enter COTA and must follow the parking instructions on the back of that placard in order to gain access. Taxi cabs must only enter the taxi cab lot in order to unload or load. This will be strictly enforced.
•Parking directions will be supplied with your parking permit and it is extremely important that these directions be followed! Not following instructions will mean your access into CoTA will be challenged.
•Parking for Recreational Vehicles will require a pre-paid permit and will also be sold on first-come, first-served basis. Check back here for additional details starting in June 2012.
•Parking for people with disabilities will require proper documentation submitted to COTA by Nov. 10, 2012. Please submit your request and your State ID to info@circuitoftheamericas.com. All documentation will be reviewed to assure authenticity.

Then there are some Friends (sometimes they forget) qustioning the legality. OMG!

Friends of Formula 1 Austin Texas So people living or staying the area will have to either buy a parking pass they don't need and then drive through the traffic, or drive to the nearest shuttle parking area & ride back to the track on a shuttle, then reverse the process afterward. Either "option" is patently ludicrous. Is it even legal?

-tim-

[richard_leeds]

Surely residents get passes for free so they can have access to their home even when the roads are closed to the everyone else? They'll be able to zoom down the VIP lanes.

[hairy_scotsman]

Surely residents get passes for free so they can have access to their home even when the roads are closed to the everyone else? They'll be able to zoom down the VIP lanes.

Nope. They were going to do passes, and the residents wanted them. Problem is, they were only going to allow 2 per household where many households have more than 2 drivers needing to go places daily. Residents wanted more, and voiced that need, but COTA didn't want to allow more than 2. Don't really understand why. It's not like there are a lot of people living out there, and Indy allows residents as many parking passes as they like and encourages yard-parking. So instead they prohibited access by foot or by bike.

So now, unless something changes in regard to what residents were told at the last meeting, locals or their visitors who intend to attend the race (yes, there are quite a few) will have to resort to silly measures when they could simply walk, ride a bike, or just be dropped off.

I'm assuming this news also means there will be no camping.

Two simple solutions:

- allow pedestrian and cyclist access at at least one entry point
- (more difficult/expensive) run a shuttle from predetermined points near the track where locals can gather to ride to an entry point.


[I didn't post this info here as I assumed it would be considered off the topic of construction progress, but I assume I can talk about it now since I was quoted above.]

[richard_leeds]

Hairy Guy, where did the one suite rather than 14 info come from. Thanks man. Keep pushing.

We know a lot of people who work with, in, or around COTA in varying capacities. It's hard to keep secrets like those in a community that size. We keep our eyes & ears open, and we have a lot of them!

[hairy_scotsman]

Turn 1 is so damned awesome.

When I first saw the proposed layout I wasn't sure what the signature feature of the circuit would be, other than there being some interesting elements borrowed from other circuits. But now that things are shaping up I can see that turn-one will likely be the circuit's signature feature. It's gonna make for one helluva short braking zone. Would also be cool if the DRS zone were on the front straight. But that back straight might be too obvious for the planners.

Not sure what to think about the T10 kink though. I'm kinda partial to a sweeper being there. But that might provide too much of an advantage for cars with better top speed once they drag race down the back straight I suppose. I would think that one kilometer should be enough to overtake without DRS there. But if they do simulations, calculations or guesstimations it might prove otherwise. Either way, it should make for some interesting jostling through the complex after that straight.

It's an interesting circuit that's probably going to give the strategists some headaches. One is really going to have to know their car's strengths and which tires will work best. But at season's end and they should have things sussed out with their cars. It might not look like it but I think this is a very well balanced circuit. Knowing Tilke he's probably got some interesting cambers here and there too.

EDIT: I just had another thought. I love the uncertainty that the wear of the Pirellis have brought. But really their marbling is beginning to annoy me a bit. The marbles seem to be narrowing the overtaking zones at some circuits and is actually creating a bit of a hazard for the drivers. It looks like this should be about a 58-60ish lap race and with the balance that track seems to have I think that should make it interesting enough without the marbles.

Good post.

The idea of the kink over the hill at Turn 10 is that hitting the blind apex there is critical enough that a leading car will have to be within just a few inches of the perfect line or they'll be forced to lift to stay on track, setting up overtaking opportunities into 11. I think it will become a defining feature of the circuit, along with T1.

BTW I think the race is set for 56 laps, so you were close.

[richard_leeds]

On other issues of people camping nearby, living in elroy who wants to go to the race etc., are issues issues and are going to be addressed sooner or later, I am sure. Just give COTA some time, they are sure to address this with many other things.

Hairy Guy, where did the one suite rather than 14 info come from. Thanks man. Keep pushing.

We know a lot of people who work with, in, or around COTA in varying capacities. It's hard to keep secrets like those in a community that size. We keep our eyes & ears open, and we have a lot of them!

Be fast! we are all sitting on needles

[Pup]

Surely residents get passes for free so they can have access to their home even when the roads are closed to the everyone else? They'll be able to zoom down the VIP lanes.

Nope.

That's wrong. Unless an announcement has been made otherwise, residents do get free traffic passes. HS is conflating those with parking passes for the track itself.

There was one meeting where CotA proposed that each resident get two traffic passes, but some of those at the meeting requested more. CotA said that they'd consider it.

If CotA encouraged nearby residents to provide parking by allowing unlimited traffic passes and pedestrian access, then they would risk flooding the reserved lanes causing all sorts of problems with track and emergency access. It would be absolutely idiotic.

[richard_leeds]

HS - as Pup said I think my question has got mixed up.

Lets get this straight... People living near the track will get two passes for free to go about their normal business?

Your point is that if you live near the track and want to attend, you still have to go out a park and ride, then come into the track on official transport? I can see why that is needed else there would be a mockery of the traffic plan.

I guess a compromise would let people with resident passes to use on-track parking.

However, I agree with COTA about not having a pedestrian entrance to avoid people trying to cheat the system and park up on local roads.

[richard_leeds]

HS - as Pup said I think my question has got mixed up.

Lets get this straight... People living near the track will get two passes for free to go about their normal business?

No. They won't.

Your point is that if you live near the track and want to attend, you still have to go out a park and ride, then come into the track on official transport? I can see why that is needed else there would be a mockery of the traffic plan.

So you think it's fine that people living literally right next to the track will likely have to drive 15-25 miles through all the race congestion just to reach a park & ride lot, then wait in line to get on a bus, then come 15-25 miles back to the track they could have walked to in the first place (reversing this later in the day)?

[hairy_scotsman]

There was one meeting where CotA proposed that each resident get two traffic passes, but some of those at the meeting requested more. CotA said that they'd consider it.

...and there has been another meeting since then, where COTA reps Loignon and Sweazy stated that there would be no traffic passes.

It was widely reported. Here's one report:

http://www.kvue.com/news/local/Circuit- ... 02095.html

If CotA encouraged nearby residents to provide parking by allowing unlimited traffic passes and pedestrian access, then they would risk flooding the reserved lanes causing all sorts of problems with track and emergency access. It would be absolutely idiotic.

I don't think anyone has suggested giving them both unlimited traffic passes and pedestrian access. Besides, the traffic passes are no longer in play. They won't be needed. The simplest solution is just to allow residents & their guests access to the track without having to buy a parking pass and fight traffic in their cars to go 1 mile or take hours to drive and ride where they can walk in minutes.