Page 17 - Campus Security & Life Safety, May/June 2022

“If a parking lot is full, it can lead to drivers circling the campus, looking for spaces. This increases the risk of pedestrian and vehicle accidents as stressed drivers make unsafe decisions to grab spots quickly to avoid being late.”
disabilities need parking services close to the door? Is there a pattern to drop-offs and pick-ups? There may be high demand for drop-offs first thing on weekday mornings, but little demand in the early
By Michael Bradner
afternoon. The most granular data can deliver the most actionable insights.
In the past, answers to these questions might require manual physical traffic counters. Now, it’s easier to get answers to those questions with more accurate, real-time data. Roadside traffic sensors, light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensors, and automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) sensors are among the tools that can track information about everything from traffic incidents to parking violations. Cameras and video analytics can monitor traffic flow, detect stopped objects and classify traffic.
Parking pass purchases and safety or speeding infractions can also be important data-based indicators of parking demand. Have parking pass purchases increased significantly or have safety infractions risen? The combination of the two can send up a red flag. If a parking lot is full, it can lead to drivers circling the campus, looking for spaces. This increases the risk of pedestrian and vehicle accidents as stressed drivers make unsafe decisions to grab spots quickly to avoid being late.
When gathering data, special attention should be given to events, conferences, or other large meetings that require different approaches to traffic flows and parking. Higher-than-normal traffic volume and restricted access to certain buildings may be a consideration. Based on historical trends and real-time data, parking policies and traffic flows can be adapted for these larger events.
Once data is gathered, a detailed picture of traffic and parking needs emerges. Large amounts of data from various sources can be aggregated into a unified digital solution that acts as an operations control center with easy-to-use dashboards for visualization and analysis.
Make the Public Your Partner
Communicating with the public about traffic flows and parking options can reduce infractions and alleviate frustrations. Drivers appreciate information on how to get to a campus location easily and find the parking they need. Likewise, service providers, bicycle riders and pedestrians can benefit from information targeted for them. Clear communications can reduce speeding incidents and constricted traffic flows while improving safety.
The good news is mobile apps can help. Data integration with traffic, map and road alert apps can deliver information to the public to help guide them through a campus efficiently or to find the parking they need. Data can include traffic status, incident alerts and parking occupancy rates in different lots.
Digital signage can also be used to share information on occupancy rates or traffic incidents. Traffic managers can place digital signs in strategic locations and activate or deactivate messages based on schedule or event. A message library with customized messages makes it easy to display relevant messages quickly. Dynamic data with ETAs and traffic directions can also respond to evolving conditions in real-time.
Use Carrots and a Few Sticks
Campus traffic rules were created to ensure everyone’s safety and improve the traffic flow. Traditionally, enforcement has been delivered by a parking officer who had to walk to the vehicle in question,
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