Parking and Transportation News

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULED DURING WINTER BREAK

Parking and Transportation Services will be performing maintenance on various lots and entrances during the Winter Break. These maintenance projects will occur between the last day of classes for the fall semester and the start of classes for the spring semester to minimize the impact on customers.

Entrances 1 (Calhoun/University), 14 (PGH at Cullen) and 16 (from Cullen at the Moores School of Music) are scheduled for concrete repair work, while entrance 19 near Calhoun Lofts, will undergo asphalt repairs. These projects will involve lane restrictions which will result in minor traffic disruptions. Although one lane will remain open for traffic at all times, drivers are encouraged to be aware of the construction in these areas and seek alternate routes when appropriate to avoid delays.

Parking lot repairs are also scheduled during this time. Lots 1B, 8A, 9C, 12A, 15A, 15F, 16B and 21A will undergo preventative asphalt maintenance. Areas of these lots will be unavailable for parking during these repairs. Parking and Transportation Services has scheduled any work involving larger portions of a lot to occur during non-peak times to minimize the impact on customers. PTS encourages all drivers to be aware of these projects to ensure the safety of workers.

A map showing parking lots and entrances affected by these projects is attached. Updates will also be provided on the Parking and Transportation Services website at www.uh.edu/parking. In addition, the Parking and Transportation Facebook and Twitter pages will be updated throughout the duration of these repairs to provide the most up-to-date information


PTS EXPANDS PARKING OPTIONS

Parking and Transportation Services expanded the number of parking spaces available for motorcycle riders in November. In addition, a project is currently underway to add 19 new bike racks to various areas of campus.

New motorcycle spaces were added in lots 6B, 16C, and 19E as well as the Welcome Center Garage to accommodate the dramatic increase in motorcycle permits issued this year.

�The number of motorcycle permits sold this year increased 300 percent over previous years. That sort of unprecedented growth plus displacement of spaces by construction created a strain on our existing motorcycle parking options,� explained Paul Lozano, Assistant Director of Parking Operations.

The new bike racks, scheduled to be installed by the end of the fall semester, are also a response to increased demand by bicycle riders.

�As the number of residents on-campus has increased, and with more people taking advantage of the bike racks on METRO, we�ve seen a spike in the number of bikes on campus,� said Lozano. �Once this installation is complete, bike riders will have an additional 19 racks in 10 different locations where they can secure their bikes.�

For more information on the new motorcycle spaces and planned bike rack locations visit the PTS website at https://www.uh.edu/parking.


MAKE YOUR GREEN SOLUTION RESOLUTION

While concerns about parking will take a back seat to thoughts about the upcoming holidays, Parking and Transportation Services wants to remind everyone to consider making a Green Resolution for the New Year.

The Green Commuter page has been refreshed with current information about Green Commuting options to campus. In addition, with the installation of new bike racks and expanded motorcycle parking, PTS is working to make Green Commuting an easy and viable option.

PTS has developed a long-term plan addressing the parking needs of the campus, which was presented at a December 3 town hall. This plan includes shifting 5% of current demand to green commuting options, including METRO, car pools/van pools and bicycling by 2012. One proposal to help accomplish this goal is the creation of a Commuter Club which would offer various incentives to green commuters.

Faculty and Staff can sign up for the Connect by Hertz car sharing program for free through December 31. By using promotion code 82330 the $25 registration fee and $50 membership will be waived. The Connect program allows a Green Commuter to still have access to a car while on campus for as low as $8 per hour, and includes the cost of insurance and gas.

By utilizing the various options available to Green Commuters, customers can bypass the congestion in the parking lots. In addition, as construction projects continue to displace available parking spaces, green commuting can be the solution to help avoid future parking problems.

To learn more about Green Commuting options visit the Green Commuter page of the Parking and Transportation website by clicking on the �Getting to Campus� tab at www.uh.edu/parking.