71 Campus Master Plan Update 71 A/ APPENDIX Parking 1. Improve access and connectivity to underutilized facilities. Parking in the core is in high demand, but several peripheral lots are underutilized - the Entrance 3 lot had a Fall 2022 average peak of 45% - in part because TAMIU affiliates do not feel comfortable walking to or from them. Connecting these facilities with safe and comfortable infrastructure, such as sidewalks, bike lanes, high-visibility crossings, pedestrian-scale lighting, or additional greenscape, is crucial to an efficient parking system and is far cheaper than building more parking in the campus core. 2. Reallocate underutilized on-street loop parking to sidewalks and pedestrian amenities. As described below, improvements to the University Boulevard loop can enhance connections between peripheral parking facilities and the core, as well as increase the parking walkshed as campus expands to the east. Such enhancements can also create a more pleasant and welcoming campus environment and landscape. The parking analysis assumes 50% of parking spaces would be removed to facilitate streetscape improvements. Since 2017, average peak parking occupancy on the University Boulevard loop has been about 33%. 3. Incentivize carpooling with allocation of proximate carpool/ vanpool in designated lots/spaces. TAMIU should designate one to two lots, and a portion of spaces within each, as carpool/vanpool spaces. Spaces should be in proximate lots and locations to incentivize and reward shared rides that reduce parking demand on campus. TAMIU should start with about 30 spaces, or about 1% of total supply, and adjust as needed. This program should be paired with a carpool/vanpool matching program (discussed below) and well-marketed to all affiliates. The program should also be managed through a permit system and include spot enforcement to ensure compliance. 4. Explore use of additional permits and/or pricing to better distribute demand. In the long-term as the campus grows, TAMIU should explore expansion of its existing permit program to additional lots to manage overall demand and distribute demand to more peripheral lots. Permits can also be utilized to prioritize access for key affiliates users and create a park-once environment. For example, parking at student residences could be managed through a permit system to ensure that only residents park at those facilities, but also that resident students do not drive their vehicle the short distance to one of the campus core lots to get to class. 5. Invest in state-of-practice technology, wayfinding, and enforcement systems. To facilitate efficient use and management of its parking system, TAMIU should invest in upgrades to its parking systems. Priority improvements may include: a. Pair online permitting with deployment of License Plate Recognition (LPR) enforcement, establishing a truly “virtual” permit system. This improvement likely requires new/upgraded permitting software and purchase of an LPR vehicle. While upfront costs are high, LPR would significantly reduce labor costs, improve compliance with regulations, and allow for automated occupancy data collection. b. Expand virtual permit and/or access control systems at certain lots to improve compliance with regulations. c. Update parking wayfinding across campus to provide userfriendly information and dispel perceived shortages of parking by directing motorists to available parking. TAMIU should adopt a formal parking brand and style guide for signage, wayfinding, and parking collateral. A wayfinding program should include a suite of static, directional, informational per lot, arrival/entry, and digital message signs. Digital signage would allow for continually updated real-time information, be integrated across facilities, and facilitate distribution to websites and mobile apps. 6. Prioritize right-sized parking build with planned growth. Based on the future parking analysis, TAMIU should construct additional parking to mitigate loss of spaces due to development on existing parking lots and accommodate additional growth. The parking analysis estimates that TAMIU needs to add approximately 1,400 gross spaces, or 800 net new spaces, over the next 10 years. The campus master plan proposes new or expanded facilities in Lots 1-9. Figure 11 summarizes the estimated number of parking spaces by new parking facility and by master plan phase.
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