The solution to USF Parking Issues
USF is an institution that has a massive population owing to its expansive size. In the academic year 2019-2020, the university had a population of 50,926 students and 16,310 faculty and staff. Almost all students use some form of transport within the campus. This makes the transportation and parking services vital due to their paramount role at the university. On this note, these services are usually on high demand as students utilize them regularly. Due to the huge population in the campus and limited space USF parking and by extension transport services create frustrating experiences especially to the learners due to their scheduled class attendances. This matter has crippled USF transport and parking services. The norm by the institution administration to sell nearly double the number of permits than available student spaces have further graven the matter. In this paper, I discuss how developing an intelligent parking system would resolve parking problems at USF.
In essence, there is an impending need for USF to derive a long term solution for the parking issues that are experienced in its campus. Delays caused by the lack of parking spaces when students require them is time-consuming and can adversely affect a learner’s studies. Moreover, they affect a student’s daily life as they have to ensure they arrive on campus early enough to secure parking space in time. The development of an intelligent parking system can effectively remedy the parking challenges that USF is currently encountering. Intelligent Transportation Systems have evolved in recent years, revolutionizing the overall traffic and travel experiences. Equally, the implementation of such a system would enhance the experience of transport and parking service users at USF as they utilize and interact with it daily.
In an era when the use of technology has become an integral part of life, the use of these systems can greatly enable motorists within the campus access real-time data regarding transport and parking services. An intelligent parking system would avail real-time data about total parking spaces available, helping USF learners and other service users make appropriate decisions on time. The situation at USF is dire as there is heightened demand for parking spaces within the campus. It was observed that as of 2019 a total of 37,440 students owned residential, motorcycle and residential pass while the college only had 4,210 parking spots solely dedicated to students and 12,788 spaces categorized as mixed-use spaces. From the statistics, it is apparent that the parking spaces would not be enough for everyone, which makes the need to avail data about parking more critical. An intelligent parking system would remedy the problem and also enable USF administration to alleviate parking contentions which have become recurrent at the institution.
Typically the implementation of intelligent parking system to resolve parking issues at USF is feasible based on distinct parameters. Firstly the implementation of this plan is easy. Implementing a smart parking system only requires an Advanced Parking Management Systems(APMS) software would be easily acquired in the market at a low price. APMS software allows collection of parking availability information from all university garages in a central location. From there, the university will choose the most appropriate method of dissemination. Secondly, espousing this approach would increase customer satisfaction. The intelligent parking system will ensure that transport and parking service users at USF get quality information which would enhance their contentment. Lastly, this approach has low-risk levels and will enable immense cost savings.