University of Alabama Transportation Services will implement several changes to campus parking as the new academic year kicks off.
RFID Chip Allows Easy Access
In previous years, drivers were required to scan their Action Card prior to entering gated parking areas. Starting this fall, parking permits will use an embedded RFID chip that will allow access to designated parking areas as drivers approach the gate. If the RFID chip does not work, a driver can scan the barcode located on the front of the parking permit. The scanner can be found at the gate access column under the display screen.
“Parking Services has been testing RFID technology for the past few years in a select number of parking areas to explore what benefits it would provide the campus community, as well as gauge the interest of users,” said Chris D’Esposito, director of UA Transportation Services. “Users overwhelmingly found the hands-free capability a positive. Not only did it speed entry into a gated area, but it kept users from having to roll down their car window in weather, search for their Action Card, or wait for others to do the same thing.”
The use of the RFID chip will be implemented at the Magnolia Parking Deck starting the week of Aug. 6 to accommodate parking for move-in and sorority recruitment. The change will go into effect Monday, Aug. 20 at the Ferguson, North ten Hoor and Stadium Drive parking decks.
Visitor Parking Changes Start in August
Also starting this fall, parking decks will no longer accept cash. A credit card or Bama Cash is required to enter and exit paid parking areas. Visitors may pay the hourly rate up to the maximum daily rate of $10 per day to park in one of three visitor-accessible parking decks on campus: Campus Drive, North ten Hoor and Ferguson.
In addition, day visitor permits may be purchased in person at the Parking Services office located at 451 Campus Drive East. A valid driver’s license and license plate information are required.
Multi-space pay stations are conveniently located in the surface lot adjacent to the Campus Drive Parking Deck and the Upper Recreation Center lot.
“In the past, Parking Services has often received concerns from individuals that a flat rate of $5 did not provide flexibility to economically access areas of campus,” said D’Esposito. “Users did not want to pay $5 for a 10-minute trip into the Supe Store to purchase something, or maybe run into their favorite eatery to grab food. They would roll the dice of parking illegally to see if they would receive a citation. Now, that same trip will cost them $1, and we hope this encourages individuals to park legally.”
Charts explaining the visitor parking deck daily rates and pay station daily rates can be found at bamaparking.ua.edu/visitor-information/. The new parking rates go into effect Aug. 6.
Parking Permits Available for Purchase
Students, faculty and staff can purchase their 2018-19 parking permit via myBama. Once logged into myBama, students will see the box on the home page titled “Currently on myBama,” then click the link “Register for Parking/Manage Your Account” under the Parking Permit Registration heading. Faculty and staff should scroll down to the Public Safety box and then click the link “Register HERE for a Parking Permit” and follow the instructions.
A breakdown of permit prices is available at bamaparking.ua.edu. UA Transportation Services offers parking permit rates that are on average with the University’s counterparts in the state and region.
Evening/Weekend Parking Permit Coming in January 2019
Starting in January 2019, new evening/weekend parking permits will be implemented for those who do not have a current permit and have work or class schedules that begin in the late afternoon. Visit bamaparking.ua.edu for more information.
UA Transportation Services believes these efforts will increase campus security. With all vehicles on campus being either registered through a parking permit or parked legally in a designated area, transportation services will know who is parking on campus and do its part in keeping the UA community safe. In addition, these changes provide a more equitable way of paying for campus infrastructure based on who is parking on campus, and they encourage legal parking through a pay-as-you-go method.
For more information about these changes, visit bamaparking.ua.edu/faq/. Questions should be directed to UA Transportation Services at 205-348-5471 or uapark@bama.ua.edu.