Open Forum: Campus Parking March 29, 2018

Campus Parking and Traffic Advisory Committee www.umflint.edu/safety

Campus Parking and Traffic Advisory Committee The committee welcomes feedback regarding parking or traffic safety. Comments can be submitted online at: go.umflint.edu/parking

Our Philosophy We are a student-centered university. Due to the commuter campus nature of the campus, students have first priority for parking options. Open parking is available on Fridays and during the Spring and Summer Semesters.

Current State There are over 3,400 parking spaces around campus in 4 ramps and 7 paved lots. Students 2,333 Staff/Faculty 762 Designated 51 Visitors 129 Handicapped 114 Safety/Service 59 As of March 2017

Parking Locations

Current State Staff and faculty pay $150 per year for parking. This rate has not increased since 1988. The cost of student parking is included in the cost of tuition (no separate fee). The university leases 300 spaces in the Riverfront Ramp. These spaces are used by student residents of the Riverfront Building and SOM faculty and staff.

Current State For comparison, State of Michigan employees pay $720/year to park in UPAV ramp. Annual deferred maintenance needs exceed funding sources.

Market Comparisons

Parking Survey Issued February 2018

Survey Response 518 responses were received Faculty 111 Staff 193 Students 214

Maintenance of Parking Areas The area where I park is properly maintained.   Strongly Disagree Somewhat disagree Neither agree or disagree Somewhat agree Strongly agree Faculty 3 14 6 52 25 Staff 7 19 12 76 74 Students (drives) 8 13 87 61 Students (resides) 1 4 Total: 50 32 219 166 The majority showed satisfaction with the maintenance of parking areas

Comments Comments re: maintenance of parking areas focused on: Winter maintenance Harrison Street Faculty/Staff Ramp Noted improvements; concerns re: cleanliness, chipping paint, leaks Restriping of parking spaces; resurfacing and potholes

Safety of Parking Areas I feel safe in the area where I park.   Strongly Disagree Somewhat disagree Neither agree or disagree Somewhat agree Strongly agree Faculty 4 6 7 48 35 Staff 17 13 57 95 Students (drives) 21 16 75 67 Students (resides) 1 3 5 Total: 14 45 39 185 203 Majority feel safe

Comments Comments received re: safety focused on: Lighting Harrison Ramp improvements Other improvements needed Driver behavior Speed, disregard of traffic patterns (WSW) Enforcement/DPS Presence Lack of security cameras in parking areas Loiterers/panhandlers

Neither agree or disagree Improvements In the past 12 months, I have noticed improvements to the parking area.   Strongly Disagree Somewhat disagree Neither agree or disagree Somewhat agree Strongly agree Faculty 5 11 30 24 Staff 3 23 72 47 43 Students (drives) 28 42 92 14 7 Students (resides) 4 1 Total: 39 80 201 85 81 Those who park in Harrison, noticed improvements; others were unsure

Neither agree or disagree Enforcement In the past 12 months, I have noticed greater efforts for accountability and parking enforcement.   Strongly Disagree Somewhat disagree Neither agree or disagree Somewhat agree Strongly agree Faculty 8 18 42 20 12 Staff 9 15 78 43 Students (drives) 21 75 46 26 Students (resides) 1 4 2 Total: 33 58 203 111 81 Almost 40% noticed greater efforts for enforcement

Neither agree or disagree Parking allocation I am happy with my designated parking options.   Strongly Disagree Somewhat disagree Neither agree or disagree Somewhat agree Strongly agree Faculty 11 9 32 37 Staff 21 24 16 41 85 Students (drives) 28 39 25 68 20 Students (resides) 2 5 4 Total: 62 76 52 146 Faculty/staff are mostly satisfied; students not

Neither agree or disagree Parking allocation I am able to find a spot when needed.   Strongly Disagree Somewhat disagree Neither agree or disagree Somewhat agree Strongly agree Faculty 4 10 3 35 48 Staff 5 15 9 54 104 Students (drives) 34 62 45 30 Students (resides) 1 Total: 44 87 25 139 187 Mostly agree/disagree with students having the most challenge

Comments The comments expressed re: parking allocation focused on: Availability and location Handicap parking Designated faculty/staff area at WSW 143 comments received; 55% of those were from students in regards to challenges finding parking spots Student parking options not convenient to class location Perception that Blue Parking takes away from student parking Handicap locations not close enough to buildings Many would like a designated fac/staff area at WSW

Other Through the survey the Committee realized the need to better promote the availability of the charging station for electric cars. Questions were included on the survey regarding parking for motorcycles; 8 responses were received.

Blue Parking Pilot Program The committee is currently piloting a program that allows faculty and staff the option to park in designated spaces in the UPAV ramp at the rate of $30 per month. Expansion of the program would include designated spaces in other faculty/staff parking areas.

Expansion of Blue Parking Would you support the expansion of this program to other parking locations?   YES MAYBE NO Faculty 21 32 46 Staff 47 64 75 Total: 66 96 121

Comments The comments expressed re: expansion of the Blue Parking Program indicated: Lack of support for its expansion beyond UPAV Cost Satisfaction with current parking allocation Lack of clarity re: proposal Cost too high Satisfied with where they park now at the regular rate Questions re: the proposal – cost

Assessment of the Blue Parking Pilot Program 57 spaces were designated Blue Parking Cost to participate is $30 per month 47 permits were issued; 2 returned 29 program participants completed the survey

Assessment of the Blue Parking Pilot Program The application process was clear and easy to manage. The details provided about the program were easy to understand. I appreciate the option to park in the UPAV ramp. 28 of 29 survey respondent reported that they agree or strongly agree with the above statements. I am satisfied with the program. 27 of 29 survey respondents reported that they agree or strongly agree with the above statement.

Assessment of Blue Parking Please indicate your primary reason for not participating in the program: Faculty Staff Total Unaware of the program 26 22 48 Cost too high 19 59 78 UPAV ramp not convenient 37 58 95 UPAV ramp is unsafe Other 12 13 25 The other reasons: disagree with the idea of the program; program unfair

End of Survey Comments Harrison Ramp White Building lots Lack of working elevator; narrow spaces White Building lots Dangerous flow of traffic; inadequate signage Increased or more timely snow removal Mill Street Ramp Expand parking to include faculty/staff Visitor Parking at all locations

Campus Parking and Traffic Advisory Committee Thank you! Campus Parking and Traffic Advisory Committee www.umflint.edu/safety