Traffic around ASU Campus and Limited Parking Space - Report Example

TRAFFIC AROUND ASU CAMPUS AND LIMITED PARKING SPACE Parking and parking lots are undoubtedly, an important part of the transportation system. The accessibility to a particular destination is directly affected by the convenience of parking facility. However parking facilities are costly for the community and are also a great issue of concern for architects, designers, planners etc. Thus, I have chosen to highlight the problem of problem of traffic and limited parking space on the ASU Campus, and would like to draw the attention of both students and faculty towards it. Parking at ASU grounds have become so inadequate that the number of tardy students has increased at an alarming rate. Almost every morning, we hear students criticizing the parking lot and claiming how they would do almost anything to get a spot close to class. The pre-class chat usually revolves around complaining and grumbling about insufficient car parking. Recently, ASU parking has developed a reputation of commencing majority of visitor’s day with a bit of frustration and anger. Students have to come to the campus nearly an hour or two before their first class if they wish to find an available parking space, which is very unfair and causes a lot of time wastage. Occasional arguments and brawls have also been witnessed over this issue. Students aren’t the only ones complaining. Faculty members also have great issues over this situation as they now have to compete for parking space with students. At times when vacant spots are present, parking is still challenging for those driving large vehicles because these spots are small in size and parking and then getting out of the seat without denting the car, both prove to be very difficult. Discontent and dissatisfaction continue to rise each morning among the masses and the parking issue is seen to be a major factor of stress for the students. Moreover, the parking issue also fuels up the environmental concerns regarding excessive carbon dioxide emission by the vehicles hopelessly trying to find a parking space. The desperation of a student over the parking space can be seen by their willingness to drive other students to their cars so they can claim the space they will vacate. Students are also compelled to park at places which are a long walk from the campus and the daily trip in the day’s heat is pure agony. Students who have to resort with parking on streets or grass usually end up getting a ticket. Now I believe that ASU, one of the largest and outstanding universities of the country, gives its students everything they require, let it be quality education, state of the art campus buildings, social exposure, scrumptious meals, etc. Everything except a good parking place. I take this chance to question you all - why do we have to have an exception? Isn’t there something we can do to solve this issue and make life trouble-free for us as well as the upcoming generations of ASU? I believe we can and therefore, I’m putting forward some suggestions that could help us all provided we all work together proficiently. A simple solution which majority has come up with in the past is to build a new parking. However, this is not possible all the time, keeping in view the problems of unavailability of land and funds. Besides, huge parking lots already occupy large areas of our campus and if we do continue to build more, there would be very little land left for the development of newer buildings and wings in the future. It is also agreed that eliminating all driving is both impossible and inconvenient for all of us. What I think is that ASU can facilitate its students the most by discouraging the use of cars inside the campus. (Michigan State University, 1957) It is a fact that most students use their cars to reach their classes that are hardly a five minute walk away from their dormitories. Students should avoid travelling such small distances on vehicles. If they do so, they will help in hugely relieving the parking and traffic issue in the campus. And for those who complain of summer heat and temperatures unsuitable of walking, number of trees and street lamps (for walking in evenings) should be increased alongside the track to make the landscape more suitable and adequate for walking. A normal healthy person can comfortably walk around for 15 to 20 minutes in a pleasant environment, without any fatigue or exertion. (Barata, 2011) (Kenny, 2004) An even better solution is bicycling and car pooling. But it must be understood first that implementing these measures require the mature and responsible thinking. The university should provide bicycles to students. As much as possible, the university should invest in bicycle tracks and bicycle parking as much as they can. Or the campus should connect with a local bicycle network that already exists. A model example for ASU is the University of New Hampshire which has devised a system called “Cat Cycles”. (Kenny, 2004) It is similar to issuing a book from a library, instead students issue bikes from the campus and use them to go anywhere on the campus absolutely free. They return those bikes back to the relevant authority by the end of the week. This will not only solve the problem of parking but it will also decrease carbon dioxide emissions, reducing health issues as well. The number of injuries and accidents due to traffic problem will also be reduced by this measure. Moreover, car pools should be introduced and it should be encouraged by abolishing their parking tax. Model example is the University of Washington. Over there, car pool users can park free while others have to pay $192 per quarter. Peter Dewey, assistant director of transportation services says “Without vigorously managing our parking and providing commute alternatives, the university would have been faced with adding approximately 3,600 parking spaces, at a cost of over $100-million. The university has created opportunities to make capital investments in buildings supporting education instead of structures for cars.” (Kenny, 2004) The issue of vehicles reduction within the university campus can also be addressed not only in terms of environment safety and pollution reduction but also as young students’ life and limb saving measures. In fact, many institutes have already adopted policy of controlling influx of cars within their premises, thus saving money and protecting environment. Inculcating this awareness at group or organization level can effectively introduce newer, healthier habits in the whole society and especially amongst the students. The young university fellows need be made conscious about benefits of not driving. It is my honest belief that this suggestion with its consequent changes shall uplift the standard of life at ASU, provided given due consideration at appropriate level with concurrent implementation of the suggested proposals. It is, therefore, suggested that a preliminary meeting can be arranged in order to define the scope of our committee and commence the pursuit of the set goals. The efforts to be made by our committee may seem gigantic with minimal visible outcome to many people, yet it is our only chance to make our contribution, no matter how trivial it may seem, towards something really productive for our college and community. References: Barata, E, L Cruz, and J.P Ferreira. "Parking at the UC Campus: Problems and Solutions." Cities. 28.5 (2011): 406-413. Print. Kenny, Daniel R. "Chronicle of Higher Education. Volume 50, Number 29, March 26, 2004." Chronicle of Higher Education. 50.29 (2004). Print. Michigan State University. Solutions to Parking Problems: Course Manual. East Lansing, 1957. Print. Read More