Improving Student Parking at Harrisburg University

Improving Student Parking at Harrisburg University

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Table of Contents

Abstract 2
Introduction 2
Current parking situation at Harrisburg University 3
Advantages of storey building car parking 4
Disadvantages 4
Parking options offered at other regional colleges and universities 4
New options for student parking 6
Alternative parking space 6
Observing proper Parking Management 7
Adoption of alternative travel model and observation of Transport Demand Management 7
Actions to reduce Parking demand 7
Recommendations 7
Pricing & licensing 8
Park & Ride 8
Ridesharing 8
Parking Cash out Program 8
TDM Marketing 9
References 10

List of tables
Table1, hourly parking Harrisburg University parking rates 3
Table 2. Monthly parking Harrisburg University parking rates 4
List of figures
Figure 1. Designated parking lots at Smith College, 5
Figure 2. Bike parking a college, 6

Improving Student Parking at Harrisburg University

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Abstract

Given that Harrisburg University is one of the most recent learning institutions based at the heart of Harrisburg city, it is bound to face a serious operational challenges such lack of sufficient car parking facilities for students. In this research study, we focus on the existing parking provisions of Harrisburg university, compare it with other parking models of more established learning institutions, and recommend necessary measures, which should take to improve the nature of parking facilities.

Introduction

Harrisburg University is based in an urban environment with limited space for expansion. Therefore, a suitable parking plan should developed to address the emerging need of car parking. The objective of this paper is evaluate the current parking situation at the university and recommend a suitable option, which the university can implement to improve the current situation and set basis for a better solution for the future parking demands.

Improving Student Parking at Harrisburg University

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Harrisburg University has a single 16 storey building, which serves as an academic block and the same time a car parking. The building also hosts a good number of businesses rub by outsiders. This means that the available parking is meant for both the students and the outsiders. The following table includes the parking rates at Harrisburg University.
Hourly Parking Garage/ Lots Rates for Chestnut St, Fifth St, Harrisburg University, Locust St, Market Square and Seventh St
PARKING RATE HOURLY
30 minutes or les $4.00
Up to 2hours $9.00
Up to 4 hours $12.00
Up to 24 hours $25.00

Table1, hourly parking Harrisburg University parking rates, (http://parkharrisburg.com/rates/)

Note: Lost tickets will pay the 24 hour rate for each day parked.
Monthly rates

Reserved Non reserved

Harrisburg University
$190.00
$255.00

Table 2. Monthly parking Harrisburg University parking rates, (http://parkharrisburg.com/rates/)

Improving Student Parking at Harrisburg University

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Advantages of storey building car parking

· It is space effective since it require less ground area for construction, Subsequent slots are constructed vertically.
· It is time saving. It is free from obstructions, therefore facilitates fast parking and retrieval.

Disadvantages

· High maintenance cost- Storey building parking supports large amounts of changing weights on a daily basis, therefore quickly deteriorates if not regularly maintained
· Parking challenges- unlike in parallel parking, drivers using storey parking face a challenge due to limited navigation space (Krishna, 2013).
· . Safety concerns- since the storey building requires artificial lighting system, it follows those criminals might take advantage and hide in dark places. Similarly, kidnappers can take of little or no person around the parking lot.
Parking options offered at other regional colleges and universities
In other colleges, parking includes open ground slots. For instance, the smith college has 59 open ground parking areas with 1560 parking slots (Fuss & O’Neill, 2007). In every parking area, each space is designated to a particular purpose such as student, staff or service vehicle parking. in addition, some colleges have parking lots on the streets surrounding them.

Improving Student Parking at Harrisburg University

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Figure 1. Designated parking lots at Smith College (https://encryptedtbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRKjcdOur1GmzSIPoOK4zOjnmpxht0CLnyMwjtP0_B0UXpYPNnmMw)
In addition, most of colleges have parking lots for bikes separate from car parks. This is aimed at reducing congestion at the parking sites. Learning institutions have parking lot designated to loading and offloading. Majority of them are for designated for vans carrying foods and are mainly located near kitchens.

Figure 2. Bike parking a college (https://www.google.com/search?biw=1366&bih=633&noj=1&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=bike+parking+picture+at+college+&oq=bike+)

New options for student parking

Alternative parking space

Students may seek alternative parking facilities on the streets surrounding the college. Furthermore, they can make use of playground peripherals during class hours as alternative parking spaces. This approach will utilize any parking opportunities available. However, the disadvantage of this is that, the outside college parking is more expensive.

Observing proper Parking Management

Under this approach, the students can make full utilization of the existing parking facilities. For instance, the college can adopt parking software for alerting motorist on any vacancies available across the college parking space. This will ensure that all the parking lots are fully utilized at any given time, thus limit the necessity of spend on constructing additional parking space. However, is bound to fail in case all the parking loads are fully occupied.

Improving Student Parking at Harrisburg University

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Adoption of alternative travel model and observation of Transport Demand Management

Actions to reduce Parking demand

The objective of this approach is to reduce the demand parking space in the college. Students should be encouraged to embrace the park and ride culture with a campus shuttle. Besides, students should also embrace car sharing program to reduce the influx of cars in the campus. Students can also use alternative means of transport such as bikes, which require small parking space. However, this approach is a limitation to individuals’ comfort of using their cars.

Recommendations
Given that the Harrisburg University is situated in the city with little or no space for construction of alternative car parking lot, it is recommended that the institution embraces the alternative travel model and observation of Transport Demand Management Actions to reduce Parking demand.

Improving Student Parking at Harrisburg University

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Pricing & licensing

Together with the transport management of Harrisburg, the college should adjust parking fees to reach a reasonable level of parking demand. A trial research of one academic year of increased parking fee should be carried out and the outcome evaluated. Besides, the price of each parking lot should be determined according to its location.
The increased cost of parking areas in collaboration with the TDM measures will shift more cars to peripheral lots and also reduce the need for parking.

Park & Ride

It is recommended the Harrisburg University uses Campus vans to ferry commuters to and fro a specific location outside the premises. Commuters will have to park their vehicles away from the university and take a ride in the van. This can be as helpful especially in such situations as the campus events.

Ridesharing
This approach involves the use of carpool and vanpools by campus employees. The university can motivate employees to adopt this approach through in incentive provisions such as ride-matching service, preferred parking lots for carpools, and reduced parking fees for carpools and rewards for commuters.

Improving Student Parking at Harrisburg University

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Parking Cash out Program

Under this program, the university shall provide staffs and students with an opportunity to choose either to use the provided free parking lots or relinquish them for a payout. This may include annual or monthly programs of paying students and staffs a comparatively higher amount of money than parking prices to leave their cars at home. This is one of the most effective means of reducing demand for parking.

TDM Marketing
The university should promote TDM programs through setting up a special TDM website, use of fliers and emails to discuss on the importance of using alternatives models of transport. Harrisburg should also consider promoting the use bike among its students. Riding pavements and special bike parking racks should be developed.

References

Fuss & O’Neill, (2007) Campus Parking Master Plan. Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts. Retrieved on 20 April 2016 http://www.smith.edu/ParkingMasterPlan_02-08-07.pdf
Krishna, S., (2013). Multi-Storey Car Parking System – Project Report. Retrieved on 20 April 2016 from http://theconstructor.org/building/multi-storey-car-parking-system-project- report/7258
Parking Rates, Hourly Parking Garage/Lots Rates for Chestnut St, Fifth St, Harrisburg University, Locust St, and Market Square and Seventh Street. Retrieved on 20 April 2016 from http://parkharrisburg.com/rates/

Improving Student Parking at Harrisburg University

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By admin in Essays on June 14, 2016