November 17, 2022

UConn Transportation Advisory Committee

Meeting Minutes

November 17, 2022

Introductions – Mike Jednak, Assoc. Vice President of Facilities Operations

The meeting started at 1:30 pm.

 

New Business

Mike Jednak opened the meeting, introducing Andy Kelly as the new Associate Director of Parking and Transportation Services. Mike explained that there have been quite a few changes since last meeting.

 

Completed Initiatives

 Gateless garages and surface lots

Andy outlined that the garages have now become gateless. With the elimination of the gate’s guests need to use the flow bird or pay by phone apps or kiosks located near the elevators on the first floor of either North or South garages. Students and employees with paid permits for the garages can access and park in the garages with the vehicle registered with us and their license plate number is their parking credential to allow them access in the garages.

 

Re-investment

Garages – Mike Jednak

The saving from the gateless garages is being re-invested back into the parking system. Currently lots Y, Z, W, and T lots have been paved and the North Garage had many structural updates over the summer. In addition to the North garage structural updates the garages have had sign upgrades. Mike outlined that the garage is completely exposed to the weather elements as well as chemicals from the vehicles that park there and the updates that had been made have not been done in over 20 years. At this time, it is expected that again next summer the North garage will be closed for more updates. Mike explained that we are running two applications for payments but feels t will be much more efficient moving forward. Jorgensen and Athletics have worked with Parking Services and established a system for events

 

 Enforcement upgrades – Andy Kelly

The Parking Services enforcement system has gone to a license plate recognition system (LPR) in addition we have purchased new all electric vehicles for enforcement, and we are using a new online validation system for departments to use when they have guests on campus allowing them to validate their guest parking. Andy added many thanks go out to Martha Funderburk and our business services group to set up and implement these various systems.

 

Transportation changes – Andy Kelly

Andy highlighted that WRTD is now overseeing the bus system on campus and the Accessible Van Service. There were some concerns about visually impaired individuals not being able to see the AVS Vans when they approached. Light bars have been added to the AVS vehicles to assist people with identifying the vans as they approach.

 

 Hillside Road Pilot Program – Mike Jednak

Mike outlined that the pedestrian safety committee met and decided on a pilot program to close Hillside Road from Glenbrook Road to Jim Calhoun Way to make it a pedestrian friendly location. The pedestrian safety committee have found that the closure has been very successful.

Jim Wohl asked if he closure was both directions of Hillside – which the closure does encompass. Mike added that Glenbrook Road is being reviewed for closure now a well, more information will be forthcoming.

 

Future Initiatives – Andy Kelly

Barnacle is our next move to update our parking technology. Barnacle is a device that sticks on the windshield of a vehicle that is identified as having an excessive number of tickets. We have moved away from booting because boots cannot be removed on weekends and overnight. This device is placed on the windshield the individual’s vehicle. The individual is given a QR code that they can scan which directs them to a payment module. After completing payment of all citations and a deposit for the device the device comes off the windshield and it needs to be returned to Facilities Operations drop box. Andy added that the device will not be used at the regionals as we do not have a drop box there to return the device and that we plan to purchase 4 units. Jim Wohl asked if what happen if the device is not returned. Andy explained they have a GPS in the units so charges would be pressed against the individual. Mike added that any vehicle getting this device placed on their windshield are people that have an extensive number of tickets. Many of the tickets are for handicap and fire lane violations.

 

Andy outlined that I lot is almost completely back online, when it is open there will   some EV charging stations.

Andy outlined that Parking Services plans to increase the number of spaces that are available for paybyphone.

 

Mike explained that Facilities Operations is in the process of purchasing a brine machine that they will pretreat the roads with prior to a storm to reduces salt usage 10-20%.

 

Mike outlined that we are looking into putting solar canopies on the garages, currently with the safety fencing installation is being reviewed but we do plan to move forward as soon as possible.

 

Mike outlined that hydrogen power is the latest innovation. The university is currently talking with various auto dealers to see what is available for vehicles. The university is also looking into a hydrogen station and the codes we would need to follow to move forward. Mike let everyone know that He and Stanley Nolan are part of the Northeast Committee on hydrogen power so he will have more information in following meetings

 

Mike explained that Parking and Transportation Services are currently looking onto using the commuter lots on I-84 and 384 to allow people to park and we would pick them up from the commuter lots to transport them to campus like what we do with the 913-bus route. Pete Morenus said that he had thought there was a similar initiative back 20 years ago. Pete said that he lives close to campus and unless campus is busy, he doesn’t use the buses because they do not align with his work schedule but that he would be interested in the future transportation options.

 

Transportation – Mike brought Phillip Johnson into the meeting to discuss and asked how we can evaluate route for staff versus student ridership. Phillips suggestion was that with surveys and route updates they could make changes as needed.

 

Construction – Mike outlined that with the 2 apartments’ being built in south campus S lot will be turned into at Geothermal field after the construction is complete the lot will be repaved for use as a parking lot. Andy added that only 20-25% of the lot is planned to be used at a time. With this construction Mirror Lake is scheduled to be dredged.

 

 Public Comment

Jim Wohl asked if there has been progress made regarding safety along South Eagleville. Mike included Sean Vasington in the conversation. Sean said that he has spoken with the Town of Mansfield and the plan is to install more lighting and flashing beacons on the crosswalks near Mansfield, Eastwood and Westwood apartments.

Peter Morenus asked about information regarding hangtags at Uconn Health Center. He frequently goes to UCHC and Avery Point and has been questioned about not having a hangtag. We asked Matt Zadrowski and he said although we are not requiring hangtags there may be a concern, but Pete should be able to rectify the situation with them as he does pay for parking here in Storrs.

 

Monica Lattimer said there seems to be quite a few people parking in the Waterbury garage that are not supposed to be. Andy explained that enforcement has been a bit lean, but we now have many new officers trained and people will receive citations moving forward. Monica said she likes the idea of Barnacle and asked if that would be used in Waterbury. Andy explained that because of the drop box we could only use it at Storrs.

 

Angie Gimenez-Ravanelli with GEU brought up that the bus route has been very concerning this semester. Andy suggested that she email him with her concerns and that the routes are all being reviewed for efficiency

 

Adjournment