Page 16 - Campus Security & Life Safety, May/June 2022

Tools Can Improve Space Efficiency and Traffic Flow in Changing Environments
Traffic Management
Road traffic in campus communities has increased significantly over the past few years as more people are driving to campus. At the same time, parking spaces have become more limited or restricted. It’s common for campuses to earmark parking spaces for new uses or to replace entire parking lots with more profitable buildings. Put simply, there are more drivers and fewer parking options, which can lead to commuter frustration and potential safety issues.
Campus facilities, security and parking managers need to adapt to today’s changes and be prepared for what’s to come. There are different transportation methods to consider, like cars, buses, scooters, bicycles, service trucks and rideshare services. Parking spots should be available for different uses, such as electric charging stations, disabled parking close to buildings, pick-up and drop-off spots, bike-sharing stations, employee parking and so on. Equal access to various spots is also important to ensure that workers and visitors feel treated fairly and equitably. Some campuses also deal
with hybrid schedules that further complicate parking needs.
With the right tools and policies in place, traffic managers can improve space efficiency, traffic and pedestrian flow to meet compliance and changing demands. But what’s the best way to address these issues? While every campus has its unique characteristics, a “measure, inform and enforce” framework provides a straightforward approach to evaluate and update traffic and parking
operations to create more seamless experiences.
Measure, Monitor and Analyze Operations
To make good decisions, traffic managers need helpful, specific data. They must identify pain points and understand supply and demand. This requires insights into usage patterns such as lot occupancy, compliance, and traffic flow. Basic measurement includes fluctuating occupancy rates on specific days or at specific times. How many electric vehicles are coming into the lot? How many people with
16 campuslifesecurity.com | MAY/JUNE 2022