Transportation Services Transportation Services

Zone Parking Revision Update FAQ’s

What is the status of the proposed zone parking revision?

The zone changes were approved and will take effect July 1, 2017. A new Zone Choices map will be provided with the permit registration process. Considering the changes, it will be very important to follow registration instructions very carefully to ensure you select the right zone for your needs.

What kind of response and comments did you get from parking permit holders?

The following steps were taken for review and comment by the campus community:

  • Emails were sent to all 7,000 plus permit holders asking for their review and comment.
  • A WSU News release and WSU Announcements were also disseminated.
  • 379 comments were received, about 5.5% of the emails that were sent out.
  • All responses were acknowledged with thanks, and respondents were informed that the UPTTF would receive and review their feedback. Where possible, questions from respondents were answered.

The major themes from the comments are summarized as follows:

  1. Buildings displacing parking/perception of poor planning.
  2. Reduced number of Blue zones.
  3. Objections to changing zones to higher cost designation, especially Yellow zones to Green.
  4. Angst about increasing costs with requests to lower the rates.
  5. Football RV parking displacing permit holders on Friday before home games.
  6. Less parking flexibility, affecting cross campus mobility, household carpools.
  7. Presumed reduced value and convenience due to parking losses.
  8. Perception by some that the changes are designed solely to raise revenue.
  9. Complaints about inadequate snow and ice maintenance.
  10. Requests to bring back the Moscow/Pullman bus.
  11. More park and ride options.
  12. More garages and parking in general.
  13. ADA questions.
  14. Some qualified positive feedback favoring the changes.

How did the Task Force and Transportation Services address these comments?

  1. Buildings displacing parking/perception of poor planning.
    Transportation Services, the University Parking and Transportation Task Force (UPTTF), and Facilities Services have been and will continue to work closely together to address parking impacts from new building construction. Transportation Services will be adding approximately 100 new parking spaces this summer and several sites for new parking are being identified and considered.
  2. Reduced number of Blue zones.
    It was determined that demand in the Rogers/Orton parking lot was such that some Blue zone parking should remain, i.e. approximately 400 parking spaces.
  3. Objections to changing zones to higher cost designation, especially Yellow zones to Green.
    It was determined that demand in all other zones warranted the changes that are proposed. Additionally, patrons could choose a zone with a lower price.
  4. Angst about increasing costs with requests to lower the rates.
    Because the parking system is self-supported and does not receive money from the State for capital, maintenance and operations, it is not possible to reduce parking rates and increase parking supply.
  5. Football RV parking displacing permit holders on Friday before home games.
    Transportation Services and the University Parking and Transportation Task Force (UPTTF) are working with Athletics to consider ways to mitigate this.
  6. Less parking flexibility, affecting cross campus mobility, household carpools.
    Transportation Services is in the process of reviewing carpool policies and has products available for departments that need cross campus mobility.
  7. Presumed reduced value and convenience due to parking losses.
    Transportation Services, the University Parking and Transportation Task Force (UPTTF), and Facilities Services have been and will continue to work closely together to address parking impacts from new building construction. Transportation Services will be adding approximately 100 new parking spaces this summer and several sites for new parking are being identified and considered.
  8. Perception by some that the changes are designed solely to raise revenue.
    This proposal is about preserving the functionality of the zone system. Basically the value of parking areas change as the campus changes. Parking areas that were once in low demand are now in high demand; lots that were formerly located away from population areas are now located in high population areas; campus zones that required little or no capital expense to accommodate parking, now require improvements of various kinds. Zone parking systems are designed to respond to changes in the campus and price should reflect the relative value.
  9. Complaints about inadequate snow and ice maintenance.
    It’s been a while since we had the kind of snowfall and accumulation we experienced this last winter. While improvement can always be made, we applaud the efforts of the Facility Services team! Transportation Services will work more closely with Facilities Services to monitor the condition of parking lots under these circumstances.
  10. Requests to bring back the Moscow/Pullman bus.
    The privately run Moscow/Pullman bus was not financially sustainable. Public transportation is the eventual solution. To meet needs of commuters, Transportation Services plans to expand the vanpool program for residents of Idaho and other remote cities and towns.
  11. More park and ride options.
    Transportation Services is looking into ways to make this option more attractive. The park and ride location now in place is currently under-utilized.
  12. More garages and parking in general.
    Transportation Services, the University Parking and Transportation Task Force (UPTTF), and Facilities Services have been and will continue to work closely together to address parking impacts from new building construction. Transportation Services will be adding approximately 100 new parking spaces this summer and several sites for new parking are being identified and considered.
  13. ADA questions.
    There is no change in parking policies or prices for individuals with disabilities.
  14. Some qualified positive feedback favoring the changes.
    We received many positive and constructive comments which will be considered for improving parking and transportation services and programs.

Will there be other changes to parking on campus? What will the Task Force be working on next year?

The UPTTF and staff of Transportation Services will be developing plans to increase parking supply while expanding and enhancing alternative commuter options to help those who wish to avoid the increasing costs of driving alone. It’s important for the WSU community to know that members of UPTTF and the staff of Transportation Services do not take their responsibilities lightly in terms of meeting the needs for parking and transportation facilities and services, while being ever-concerned about the rate increases that may be required to meet those needs.