Type: Parking Studies
Project Name: U of North Carolina Parking Needs Assessment
City: Wilmington
State: North Carolina
Client: University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Features: The Univ. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill contracted DESMAN to evaluate the exiting parking supply and demand conditions on campus and estimate the need for future parking based on student faculty and staff growth projections. The goal of the study was to develop strategic recommendations that would enhance the efficiency and accessibility of exiting parking for all campus parkers and to anticipate the most effective size and location of additional parking facilities as the need arises.

Description: Working in conjunction with Jefferies & Faris Associates, the University?s master plan architect, DESMAN Associates completed an assessment of existing parking conditions and determined the future needs and improvement alternatives for UNC at Wilmington campus. The University had experienced significant growth in the past five years, particularly in the commuter student population. As such, peak parking utilization was reaching and/or exceeding the system?s capacity.

To determine future parking needs associated with each of the user groups on campus, DESMAN obtained student and personnel projections from the University?s Planning Office. Based on this analysis, it would appear that an overall campus parking deficit of 573 spaces should be anticipated by Fall 2008. Unfortunately, this analysis reveals the rift between the resident student surpluses of 145 spaces in Fall 2008 with the corresponding commuter student deficit of 636. In short, while the parking supply for the growing population of resident students is increased, parking for commuting students remains relatively stagnant.

DESMAN made both physical and operational management. Physical improvements took two forms; re-striping existing surface lots in an effort to maximize capacity, and the creation of parking lot layouts for new surface lots. DESMAN determined that six existing lots have the potential for valuable space increases, reflecting a potential increase of approximately 280 spaces. DESMAN then developed an alternative permit/space assignment and allocations program. This allocation/assignment program would deter individuals from searching from lot to lot. This program, like any effective parking program, must be strictly enforced. DESMAN strongly suggested that UNCW commit to a combination of booting and towing efforts as any enforcement program without ?teeth? will prove ineffective.