 "Photo: Dan Trinh")
A peer review document submitted by a panel of parking experts outlined key issues in UTD’s parking system and offered solutions.
Last December, Scott Kangas from the University of North Texas, Peter Lange from Texas A&M University, Jane Wilcox from UT San Antonio and Bobby Stone from UT Austin visited UTD.
They observed all aspects of parking on campus and spoke with students, faculty and staff. After their visit, the panel compiled a document providing UTD with recommendations based on what they had seen. The review document was released early February.
The biggest issue is lot maintenance, the panel said. This includes striping and resurfacing the lots and providing better lighting. Lange said some areas of the larger Lots A-D are in particularly poor condition.
“From my perspective, if I’m taking someone’s money then I want to deliver a good service,” Lange said. “That service needs availability, to be functional and not have pot holes.”
The panel suggested the smaller lots such as Lots Q and P have lot specific permits associated with them. Lot Q is located on the eastern end of campus near the SOM and Lot P is to the north, near the Natural Science and Engineering Research Lab. These permits would be given to parkers according to their status at the university. Faculty and staff receive first priority and graduate students get what’s left.
The group recommended that the larger Lots A-D be designated as “commuter lots.” These commuter lot permits will cost the same as green permits do currently and would primarily serve the undergraduate community. The color-coded parking levels should be eliminated, the parking experts said, providing a flat rate on permits.
At an open forum last December, student complaints addressed residential parking. Residents were often unable to find a parking spot during peak hours of the day as students from farther phases parked in residential lots closer to their classes.
To remedy this, the parking panel suggests breaking the residential lots into multiple zones, making sure the closer lots are allotted different permits than the farther lots.
The panel also said better enforcement is needed.
“Lack of sufficient enforcement staff has created an inconsistent enforcement operation,” the panel said. “Three part-time student workers, on a campus with 5,500 parking spaces cannot provide consistent enforcement of the regulations.”
During their visit the panel observed evidence of poor communication from UTD regarding parking.
“It appears that faculty, staff and students at times are not always aware of the changes that have been implemented, particularly related to policies, procedures and future plans. They reported that most of the parking changes just happen without any advanced notice,” the panel said. “We recommend the department continue to improve and diversify its communication methods.”
To solve this issue UTD should run all parking related business through a Parking & Transportation Services department, the panel said.
In order to ensure a smooth transition, an experienced director must be hired immediately, the parking experts said. Other supervisors could also be used to help coordinate large on-campus events successfully.
The panel said the DART system currently in place is good but could benefit from a slightly increased frequency in its rounds.
“UTD has the opportunity to implement an outstanding parking program,” the panel said. “There is no need to reinvent the wheel when it comes to campus parking.”
Associate Vice President for Budget and Resource Planning Martin Baylor said UTD is currently compiling a statement regarding future action in response to these recommendations.
3 comments
- Departure times. Why should DART buses take off from campus at about the time classes are ending thereby forcing students to wait for 30mins in order to board the next bus?
- Waiting times at Bush Turnpike Station. The arrival and departure time of the buses is at variance with demand for them. There are times when students have had to wait for 20mins before connecting the next bus to school from Bush Turnpike. The reality's that in that same 20mins, one could have conveniently driven his/her car to school from home. The only bus that meets demand at Bush Turnpike is the bus that departs Bush Turnpike at xx:35
- Passengers are often exposed to the elements while waiting for the buses. There are not many covered stop points on Campus.
- Attitude of the bus drivers: There have been instances where students have been left stranded while trying to join a bus. Some of the bus drivers are sticklers for time. Even when a student can be seen running, they simply drive off. Compare this with the DART train drivers who have been known to wait for passengers trying to catch a train. The experience leaves much to be desired.
RECOMMENDATIONS
(1) Change the departure time of these buses. There's no need for a student to be running to catch a bus if he/she is given ample time to get to the bus stop.
(2) Increase the frequency of the buses by one (1) additional bus. The additional bus will be deployed to mop up passengers in order to reduce wait times. It will also allow the buses themselves to have more rest between trips. Instances abound where the buses have broken down mid trip.I believe if these recommendations are carried out, there will be fewer need for students to come to school with their cars, as they are assured of quick transportation to connecting points (Bush Turnpike or McCullum) nearby. The end result will be happy students commuting to and from school effortlessly, and the school having unclogged parking spaces.