The assigned space and reserved lots often had numerous empty spaces. Findings Generally, parking at Stout is handled very well given the constraints under which it must operate. Some minor day to day changes may be desirable but no major changes are needed at this time. However, with the trend to more and more people driving cars to campus and the projected reduction in current parking areas, there will be an overall shortage of parking spaces soon. Also, much of the past campus planning has not adequately addressed parking considerations.
Parking needs to be an integral part of capital planning decisions.
The benefits of converting parking areas to other types of land use and plans for replacing parking must be better communicated to the campus by planners. Reserved and assigned space lots are very popular with those who use them but they are inefficient and additional space could be obtained by making some changes in that area. The switch was necessary to accommodate the loss of over 70 spaces due to the Second Street pedestrian mall and the Broadway St. widening projects. The Parking Services Office felt that moving from the assigned space system to a reserved lot system would accommodate the existing customers without having to remove any current customers from the lot. While communication is good in the sense that signs, handouts, and related material is widely available and clearly presented, there does seem to be a communications problem in the sense that users don't know the big picture.