U of A Commissions Study to Develop Transportation and Parking Solutions for Campus

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas is launching a comprehensive study of current and future transportation challenges and opportunities on campus. As a first step in the process, all students, faculty, staff and campus visitors are invited to fill out an online survey about the transportation and parking issues that concern them. The survey information will be used as part of the study to help develop a long-term transportation and parking plan for the campus. The survey will remain open until Friday, January 30.

“This is an important undertaking for the university,” said Jill Anthes, campus planner and project manager for this effort. “We want to hear about your experience getting to, from, and through campus.”

Throughout the course of the study, members of the campus and community can take part in developing the new transportation plan in several ways:

• Take the quick online survey.
• Keep up with the progress of the plan at www.uatransportationplan.org.
• Follow developments and participate on social media via #UAtrans.
• Chat at campus pop-up information booths during the spring semester.
• Add suggestions and comments to the transportation wiki-map.

The University of Arkansas has added nearly 9,000 students to the campus in the past 10 years, a growth of more than 52 percent, and was recently ranked as the 7th fastest-growing public research university in the country. The U of A’s growth and success require a rethinking of the current and future transportation and parking needs of the campus.

 Last August, the university contracted with Nelson\Nygaard and Carl Walker Inc. to help reshape the university’s transportation and parking system into one that is effective, efficient, transit-oriented, environmentally sustainable, and financially viable for the next 20 years and beyond. The new plan will cover travel to campus as well as travel on and around campus, to meet the needs of the students, faculty and staff at the U of A, as well the people who visit campus or attend events here.

The planning team is working with campus, city and regional stakeholders to find solutions that enhance the university’s livability, strengthen the community, and address the contentious issue of parking.

The campus transportation plan will specifically address:

• All ways of travel on the university campus, including non-motorized modes, such as walking and bicycling.
• The university vision for transportation.
• Consensus within the campus community for any substantive changes in that vision.
• Coordination with city and regional planning efforts.
• Current and future transit and parking services.

The plan will also recommend a strategic set of investments and actions aimed at reducing the strain on the university’s parking system — including connectivity improvements, measures to encourage all travel options, and updating university policies.