In December 2007, Transportation & Parking Services released its first in-depth parking study since 2001. The purpose was to project future parking needs and explore strategies for meeting them.

The study found:

• Campus population is increasing, but parking spaces will decrease.
  • Population to increase by 5,300 by 2012-13
  • Parking spaces to decrease by 1,660
  • Projected 4% vacancy at peak, below goal of 5%
  • Result: To meet goal of 5% vacancy rate, we must either:
    • Impose parking eligibility restrictions
    • Create more parking spaces
    • Expand alternative transportation options

• Building new parking structures would require substantial increases in permit fees.
  • Parking structures are expensive to build, with costs ranging from $29,000 to $43,000 per space.
  • Estimated increases would vary from 4.5% to 10.2% per year, each year through 2012-13.
  • Past increases have typically not exceeded 5% per year.
  • In 2012-13, permits may cost anywhere from 19% to 63% more than they currently do, depending on what options are chosen now. For example:
    • If the School of Medicine structure is built, there would be a 43% increase in permit fees by 2012-13 and an A permit would cost $133, a B permit would cost $115, and an S permit would cost $88 per month.
  • Excessive fees may result in lower permit sales, adversely impacting our ability to pay the debt service on the parking structure.

For more information:

• Read the entire study (PDF)
• See a December 2007 presentation (PDF) by the Transportation and Parking Committee, which:
  • Graphed such things as parking occupancy by campus neighborhood and projected population and parking utilization
  • Listed projected fees for each permit type
  • Mapped proposed parking structures

The study also considered less costly approaches to meet transportation needs. It is estimated that the need for 3,700–4,300 spaces can be eliminated by pursuing these options:

• Expand shuttle and mass transit options
• Redesignate existing parking spaces to meet local needs
• Encourage bicycling and other nonmotorized transportation
• Restrict parking for resident freshmen

Tell us how we're doing. If you have ideas for improving Transportation & Parking Services, please e-mail them to TellTPS@ucsd.edu.