ANNUAL REPORT TO FACULTY SENATE

 

PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

 

JANUARY 2009

 

The Department of Parking and Transportation Services (P&T) consists of the following areas: parking lot inventory management and enforcement, parking permit sales, finance and administration, motor pool management, special events coordination and bicycle space management. The following report is provided by the Parking and Transportation Office in response to the Faculty Senate request outlined in Faculty Senate Resolution #02-43.

 

Recent Changes and Issues

  • The State of North Carolina lost its “Civil Fines” court case with the North Carolina Public School System.  The resulting forfeiture equates to a $3.9 million reduction in reserves and $400,000 per year in fine revenue transferring from ECU P&T to the North Carolina Public School System.  Due to this loss of annual revenue and reserve funds, P&T is proposing to the ECU Board of Trustees to increase permit fees to meet current operational expenses and future capital needs.  Most permit fees will increase $1 - $2 per month ($.50 to $1 per pay period).  Please refer to the attached Faculty Welfare Committee meeting handout and the UNC Parking Fee Comparison spreadsheet.
  • The Chancellor’s Executive Council approved an A Permit Parking Priority Policy which allows Assistant Vice Chancellors, Chairs, Assistant/Associate Deans, Directors and Chancellor’s staff to be immediately eligible for an A permit, thus avoiding the A waiting list.  This proposed policy and permit fee increase were reviewed with SGA, Staff Senate, Faculty Welfare Committee, P&T Committee and Chancellor’s Executive Council.  There was good discussion and P&T agreed to provide recordkeeping and accountability to the process, similar to what is done for reserved parking.  This policy is not expected to significantly impact the A zone oversell.
  • Athletics agreed to provide $25,000/year to P&T for parking lot maintenance starting in FY08/09.
  • As part of its sustainability effort, P&T has purchased two GEM electric vehicles (http://www.gemcar.com/) to be tested in patrols of the main campus.  P&T also requested ten hybrid vehicles through NC Motor Fleet, which are intended to replace older vehicles currently in the motor pool.  Finally, P&T will be initiating a pilot test of a bicycle sharing program on the main campus in the near future.
  • Administration and Finance is initiating a comprehensive master plan study that will include a subcommittee to review parking, transit, pedestrian, bicycle and traffic operation and flow.  Faculty, staff, students, city/county officials and the community will be involved in this process.
  • By August 2009, state vehicles will no longer be stored on the core campus so this prime parking space can be used by faculty, staff and visitors.  Exceptions may be allowed for electric vehicles and frequently used vehicles.  Service vehicle spaces will remain, but only enough to accommodate daily service needs and overnight parking will no longer be allowed on the core campus.
  • Reorganization changes within the department have been completed in order to continue improvements in efficiency and customer service within the department.
  • The process regarding the renewal of “A” parking permit notification has been improved. At the renewal period for the 07-08 year 180 faculty/staff missed the renewal deadline for their “A” permits. A new process of weekly notifications beginning 1 month prior to the renewal period, and extending the renewal period from 2 weeks to the entire month of April was put in place. The result was a reduction in the number of individuals missing the renewal deadline – from 180 in FY07/08 to just 4 in FY08/09.
  • The data collection program continues to mature and assist in the decision-making process within the Department of Parking and Transportation Services.  Data that is currently being collected includes: all 7:00 pm dedicated lot usage, courtesy permit usage, retired faculty space usage and Brody Outpatient lot usage. This information is shared regularly with the P&T Committee and improves space utilization.
  • The motorcycle pad located in the landscaped area south of Christenbury has been removed. This pad was removed over the Christmas break due to safety concerns and area preservation of green space identified by the University Environment Committee. At the time of removal, ample motorcycle parking was available across 10th street to handle the demand. Additional spaces have been added in the area south of 10th Street and the core campus to accommodate the current demand and future growth.
  • The Parking and Transportation website has been improved.  More timely and pertinent information is being provided to better educate and serve our customers.
  • The parking management software system was upgraded in December 2008.  This upgrade provides more automated functions and increases operational efficiency.
  • At the request of the Faculty Welfare Committee, P&T is considering changing the A1 parking zone near Slay and Umstead into a 7:00 pm zone.  Part of this decision may result in the change of the lot between Speight and Messick to a 3:00 pm lot since lot usage data shows limited use by faculty and staff throughout the day.

 

Faculty Senate Resolution #02-43

  • Oversell Ratio of Approximately 10% in A and B zones: The “A” zone is maintained in the core campus zones with an oversell rate of 10%. On the Health Sciences Campus the oversell rate is based on availability. On this campus (HSC), one lot has become the de facto overflow lot where vacant spaces are consistently plentiful so additional permits have been sold beyond the 10% oversell.  Nearly 50 spaces remain available at all times.
  • No changes in parking fees over a 4-year period: P & T has not increased fees for parking on the East Carolina University Campus since the implementation of the zone parking system in 2003.  P&T is proposing a nominal fee increase to begin July 2009.
  • Handicap spaces will not change in terms of numbers and locations: Providing appropriate accessible parking per ADA requirements continues to be a high priority on ECU’s campuses. The current supply is managed by Parking & Transportation Services with the assistance of the Department of Disability Support Services in regards to requirements and usage maximization in the appropriate locations.
  • Enforcement practices adequate to ensure operational objectives:  P&T continues to emphasize education to gain compliance of parking rules and regulations to improve customer satisfaction.
  • Transportation Enhancement: ECU Student Transit Authority continues to be an enterprise run through Student Affairs and SGA, but Parking and Transportation continues to improve communication and coordination between these interrelated services. Transit continues to have representation on the Parking and Transportation Committee.
  • Faculty and Staff have a preference when permits are issued in Zones A and B: Patients and handicap permit holders continue to have the highest priority for parking on campus with the faculty and staff having the next highest priority.  A zone permit holders should expect to always find a parking space in the A zone that is within a 5-7 minute walk to their destination (office or classroom).
  • Retired Faculty receive free “A” zone permit: The dedicated “Retired Faculty” parking spaces are constantly monitored and data collected on the usage of the spaces. The number of spaces currently meets any daily need for those individuals.
  • Certain lots east of Founders Drive and surrounding Jenkins Art will not be opened to other permits before 7:00 pm: These lots remain closed for any permit other than “A1, A3, A5 or A7” permits until 7:00 pm. These lots are monitored nightly and compliance/vacancy data collection is competed weekly in these areas.