University

More than 10,000 parking space sensors will help Clemson faculty, staff and students find a parking spot on campus this Fall thanks to a project two years in the making coordinated by Parking and Transportation Services and parking solution provider eleven-x. The sensors will provide real-time parking data through the Tigers Commute app, allowing drivers to see available spaces at a glance. Installation of the sensors will begin on Thursday, March 13, with 3,000 spaces completed over Spring Break. The remaining sensors along with digital displays at the major lots will be installed during the summer in time for the start of the Fall 2025 semester. Once all the sensors are installed, the feature will be active in the Tigers Commute app. “At Clemson University, our ethos is about putting people first by offering top-tier resources across our campus,” said Dan Hofmann, director of Parking and Transportation Services. “This installation is leading the way to improving the parking experience for our staff, students and visitors.” Employee and student commuter lots as well as all accessible, EV charging and metered parking spaces across main campus will feature sensor technology. A sophisticated state of the art gateway network installed throughout campus will allow single space parking sensors installed in the middle of each parking space to wirelessly communicate vehicle occupancy through the network. The occupancy information will be displayed on the Tigers Commute app, via the web-based version or on more than 40 new digital displays outside of the major parking lots on campus. “As a Clemson employee, I’m looking forward to knowing ahead of time what spaces are available,” said Jeff Anthony, occupational safety manager in Occupational and Environmental Safety and Staff Senate president. “These sensors should also improve safety and congestion with fewer cars circling for an open spot.” Combined with real-time transit and ride-sharing features in Tigers Commute, the sensors will help those coming to campus plan their trips more efficiently. The technology will also provide Parking and Transportation Services with more accurate data such as lot occupancy rates and peak usage times to enhance future offerings. More information will be shared in Clemson News when available.

PORTLAND OR – HONK, North America’s leading provider of contactless payments for parking, has partnered with Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) to introduce a parking reservation system that simplifies parking for those commuting for work and education, while enhancing operational efficiency across the campus. "This new reservation system has made managing our limited parking easier,” said Brett Dodson, OHSU’s Director of Campus Access and Commute Services. “Students, contractors, vendors, volunteers and non-patient visitors can book their spots in advance and arrive with peace of mind, while our team now has the tools we need to manage parking more efficiently and make more educated operational decisions." The HONK-powered system includes two parking portals to meet the diverse needs of OHSU’s campus. The Public Parking Portal enables folks to pre-book parking at nine of OHSU’s on-campus lots, ensuring a hassle-free experience upon arrival. The Guest Parking Portal is designed for OHSU departments and staff to reserve parking for their visiting guests, up to two months in advance, and the option of department promo codes for simplified billing. Real-time reporting and analytics offer a detailed view of parking trends, enabling administrators to make informed adjustments and plan with confidence. With the ability to update parking availability on demand, OHSU can quickly adapt to the evolving needs of its campus. “What stood out most about working with HONK was how closely they worked with us to get it right,” said Michael Hatchell, OHSU’s Parking Manager. “Their team ensured the system fit into the unique needs of our campus, and we really appreciated the time and attention they provided as we worked through all of our use cases.” “OHSU is an essential part of the Portland community, and we’re proud to help make parking simpler for everyone who steps onto their campus,” said Michael Back, HONK’s Founder and CEO. “This partnership demonstrates how modern parking technology can deliver meaningful improvements for both parkers and operators alike.” By partnering with HONK, OHSU has introduced a smarter, more efficient way to manage parking for its students, contractors, and other non-patient visitors while strengthening its operational capabilities. About OHSU OHSU is Oregon's only public academic health center. We are a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and southwest Washington. We are an institution of higher learning, with schools of medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry and public health – and with a network of campuses and partners throughout Oregon.

As campuses grow, transportation needs evolve. The Campus Master Plan often outlines new roads, buildings, and infrastructure, with parking lots becoming prime construction sites for future development. This creates a domino effect, pushing parking to the periphery and necessitating changes in the campus transportation system. When parking shifts to the edges, it impacts both your budget and transportation logistics. Perimeter lots, often cheaper to park in, will reduce revenue from prime spaces, while new routes must be added to connect these distant lots to the core campus. So, how can transportation departments meet these challenges? 1. Assess and Adjust Transportation Routes To minimize additional costs, review and optimize current bus routes. Combining routes or reconfiguring schedules can open up buses to service new Park-N-Ride locations without drastically increasing expenses. 2. Engage with Administration Be transparent with campus administration about the impact of growth on your transportation budget. Loss of revenue from core parking and increased operational costs may require adjustments, such as a transit fee or funding for new buses. ________________________________________ Why This Is a Good Problem to Have Though these challenges can strain resources, they’re ultimately a sign of success. Growth means more students, faculty, and facilities—and a better campus overall. The transportation department’s role is crucial to ensuring that this growth remains accessible. ________________________________________ Benefits of an Updated Transportation Plan An adjusted transportation plan can: • Facilitate Growth: Free up space for new buildings and infrastructure. • Provide Economical Parking: Shift to more affordable, perimeter parking. • Reduce Traffic: Alleviate congestion in core areas. • Increase Efficiency: Offer quick and easy access to campus. ________________________________________ Is Your Department Ready for Growth? Having a comprehensive transportation plan is vital. It ensures that your campus remains accessible and efficient as it expands. If your department isn’t ready, now is the time to get involved in the conversation. Make sure your transportation plan aligns with the Campus Master Plan, preparing you for the future. Mike Harris, CAPP, is the Director of University Services with SP+ (SP Plus). Mike can be reached at gharris@spplus.com.

Motherboard replacements, EMV reader repairs, ticket jams, sensor cleanings, low ink warnings… and a $20,000+ purchase cost! These challenges defined traditional parking systems (PARCS). At the University of Southern Maine (USM), we asked, “What if this could be a thing of the past?” Since 2005, USM relied on traditional PARCS and paystations, often requiring assistance to resolve issues. Now, with Software Defined PARCS (SDPARCS), we’ve not only eliminated constant repairs but introduced built-in intercoms and live help at the tap of a button—right out of the box. ………all with a simple plug and play android device. With SDPARCS, day-to-day operations no longer include constant troubleshooting. At USM, we’ve reduced paystation expenses by over 93%, saving significantly over 3–5 years. SDPARCS is a streamlined solution: a single column equipped with an Android device and power/internet connection. This small, efficient unit can function as both a paystation and a PARCS system, simultaneously replacing entry and exit hardware. It’s simpler, smarter, and more cost-effective. USM selected ParkEngage as our SDPARCS provider for their ability to customize the system to our needs. The difference between SDPARCS and traditional PARCS is transformative—like moving from a 1960s mainframe computer room to a modern smartphone. For our team, the change has been monumental. We’ve eliminated hours spent troubleshooting machines, enabling us to focus on delivering better service to our campus community. Trystan Henry is a Manager of Parking & Transportation with the University of Southern Maine. Trystan can be reached at Trystan.henry@maine.edu.

Key Takeaways The grant from the California State Transportation Agency will support the transition of UCLA’s BruinBus fleet to 100% electric and service expansion and will fund California’s first electric road charging system — all in time for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The wireless charging roadway project follows the deployment of the nation’s first public electric vehicle-charging roadway in Detroit, Michigan, which launched in November 2023. UCLA’s charging technology could set an example that advances transit electrification and efficiency across California’s transportation infrastructure. UCLA Events and Transportation has received significant funding from the California State Transportation Agency’s Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program. A $19.85 million grant received in collaboration with CALSTART — a nonprofit dedicated to accelerating clean transportation — and wireless charging provider Electreon will enable UCLA’s BruinBus fleet to transition to 100% electric, expand service, and fund California’s first in-road electric charging system, all in time for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. “This transformative grant will significantly enhance our transportation network, providing a cleaner, more efficient BruinBus fleet that aligns with our commitment to sustainability and innovation,” said Tony Lucas, executive director of UCLA Events and Transportation, noting that reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing transportation access are key priorities. BruinBus routes link major student residential neighborhoods, the Westwood Village commercial district, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, academic buildings and many other university facilities. BruinBus routes also connect passengers to seven other transit agencies. The grant will be used to expand UCLA’s current fleet of five all-electric buses and an all-electric passenger van by adding another eight all-electric buses. In addition, funds will be used to build a new transit hub between the UCLA bus depot and the planned UCLA/Westwood station. This hub, set to open in 2028, will connect directly to L.A. Metro’s D Line light rail extension. The extension will bring riders within two-thirds of a mile from the UCLA campus and be the first-ever direct rail connection from downtown Los Angeles to Beverly Hills, Century City and Westwood. “The new transit hub and extension will be a game-changer for connectivity in Westwood,” said Clinton Bench, director of UCLA Fleet and Transit. “It will make it easier for everyone to travel between UCLA and key destinations throughout Los Angeles, especially as the city prepares to host the Olympics, thereby fostering a more integrated and accessible urban landscape." This grant will also support California’s first electric road system. Inductive charging coils will be installed below the road along transit routes on Charles E. Young Dr., roughly between the Westwood Plaza intersection and Murphy Hall, allowing for the wireless charging of electric passenger shuttles and heavy-duty buses while the vehicle drives. Additionally, static wireless charging will be deployed at passenger pick-up and drop-off locations and transit depots, including the new UCLA transit hub, to charge while vehicles are stopped. This mixed-use approach to wireless charging will allow UCLA to reap the environmental benefits of an expanded electrified fleet while minimizing vehicle downtime for charging and minimizing the size and weight of the vehicle’s battery. “By integrating advanced charging technology into the UCLA transit system, we are setting a precedent for the entire state,” said Jared Schnader, CALSTART senior director and bus initiative lead. “If adopted widely, this innovation could revolutionize transit electrification, enhancing efficiency and sustainability across California’s transportation infrastructure." Stefan Tongur, Electreon’s vice president of business development, said this project follows the successful deployment of the nation’s first public EV-charging roadway in Detroit, Michigan, which launched in November 2023. “The world needs innovative, scalable solutions with transformative impact to advance electrification, and this project demonstrates California's commitment to a more sustainable, efficient and accessible future,” Tongur said. “Electreon is proud to be working with UCLA and CALSTART to bring our advanced EV charging technology to the region’s transit system, ushering in an increasingly electric future for all.” CONTACTS: Rebecca Kendall Senior Communication Manager, UCLA Administration 310-909-9907 rkendall@adminvc.ucla.edu Jared Schnader Senior Director, Bus Initiative Lead, CALSTART jschnader@calstart.org Katelyn Davis Joyride Group (on behalf of Electreon) info.us@electreon.com

We all hear it whether you are a municipal entity or an academic organization like our own. Here at the University of Mississippi’s main campus in Oxford, MS, we manage and maintain just over 17,000 parking spaces. On even the busiest day, we can pull up video feed showing hundreds of spaces or more that parkers are not utilizing, but still, we hear, "There are not enough parking spaces." Is it just that age-old expectation that everyone should be able to park directly outside the building where they work at or attend classes? Is it a rural university problem or do urban universities with few or no parking spaces at all still experience this? Want to see students completely stumped? Try to explain to them that they should park their cars at one of several remote lots on the edge of campus and then take the convenient shuttle bus to a central part of campus that is likely within 500 feet of the building for their classes. They of course bought a commuter parking permit. We can also show them a half-empty commuter parking zone. Except, it is not where they want to park, and the lots close to where they want to be are "full". When we explain that Commuter permits are authorized to park in these remote lots, something breaks inside their minds. Park car, ride bus, get to class on time! Easy right? Apparently not… Harold Robinson, CAPP, is the Assistant Director of Parking and Transportation Systems for The University of Mississippi. Harold can be reached at hdrobins@olemiss.edu.

Join us for a members-only roundtable dedicated to university and academic members. 

Join us for a members-only roundtable dedicated to university and academic members. 

Join us for a members-only roundtable dedicated to university and academic members. 

Incident Command System (ICS), a National Incident Management System (NIMS) component, is the federally accepted standard for the coordinated response and management of planned events and unplanned emergencies.

Okay. I may be a bit biased, but nobody does college football tailgating quite like the University of Mississippi, aka Ole Miss! With the football full swing, almost everything revolves around 7 autumn Saturdays—surely not that different from other places. Right? Other schools have long and storied football-related traditions, too. But tailgating? No one takes tailgating to an artform like Ole Miss! A place in the Grove? Check. 10' x 10' tent? Check. Table and chairs? Check. Ole Miss swag and signs? Check. The good silver and dinnerware, linen table cloth and a floral centerpiece along with catered gourmet food? Wait. What? I heard the stories but always thought they were exaggerations. The Grove and Circle on campus turn into a sea of 10 x 10 tents like other tailgating traditions, but mixed in with your traditional tailgaters are those who make Ole Miss special—tents decorated with fresh flower arrangements, tables covered in linens and their best severing dishes and silverware. Imagine someone transplanting Thanksgiving dinner from a formal dining room to a tent under the trees for an event steeped in tradition. There will be food of all varieties—some catered and some home cooked like grandma use to make—and always more than enough to go around. Many tents have small generators. How else will they power the TV and, yes, even the chandelier? Some people come for the game, but almost as many come just for the Grove! Through it all, we park the cars and move people about. Harold Robinson, CAPP, is the Assistant Director of Parking and Transportation Systems for The University of Mississippi. Harold can be reached at hdrobins@olemiss.edu.

Join the Princeton University team as they showcase how data can drive smarter decisions, ease parking stress, reduce congestion, and ultimately improve the campus experience.