Parking - What Is the Real Problem?

May 25, 2021

by Arishna Lastinger, Associate Director of Parking at Auburn University

Since beginning my parking career in 2017 I have been asked many different questions: “Where can I park?” “How much is parking?” “When is registration?” “Why did I receive this citation?” and other questions along those lines. However, in the mix of all these questions, one question continues to appear when emotions are high and parking is scarce. That question is “What is the problem with parking?”

As paying patrons, most customers tend to believe that they are, or should be, guaranteed a parking space at all times. Nevertheless, at Auburn University and other institutions alike, that is not always the case. At Auburn University, we have approximately 30,000 people with approximately 13,000 parking spaces. That is nowhere near enough parking for every single person daily. Luckily, not all 30,000 people are on campus at the same time; however, with zoned parking in place and lots separated based on faculty/staff and student classifications, there is still a shortage of parking. So what is the real problem? The answer is simple: there really are not enough spaces! 

The customer recommended solution to limited parking is always to build more parking. With the suggestion to build more parking being so frequent, I have come to the realization most people truly do not understand the planning, costs, or details that must be considered when building additional decks or parking lots. Questions that not only have to be asked but also answered, before planning can even begin are things such as:

“Is there enough money in the parking budget to cover a new deck or parking lot?” While we do receive revenue from issuing violations and registration, there are remaining expenses that must be considered when thinking of the budget. Salaries, maintenance costs, and equipment fees to name a few. Parking budgets may seem large; however, other associated expenses can be large too.

Another question that has to be addressed is “Where will we build additional parking?” When it comes to choosing a location, you must also visit Campus Master Planners. Oftentimes a campus master plan will have buildings already lined up for construction several years in advance. Therefore, that empty grass lot you see now has already been claimed and will be the location of a beautiful new academic building, which means it cannot be considered for the sole benefit of parking.

Lastly, “What cost will we charge customers to utilize the new parking in order to cover the cost of adding or building it as well as maintaining it?” Most customers are already of the opinion that they pay too much for parking, so how do we find an appropriate amount to charge that will be accepted by both the parking agency and the customer? Pleasing both sides rarely happens in the world of parking.

Those are only three of the many questions that must be answered when you think of planning parking, but those are questions that normally do not cross the mind of customers.

Returning to the question of “What is the problem with parking?” I believe the answer varies depending on where you are. It could be budget, it could be land availability, it could be based on priorities, or a host of things. However, one thing will remain; parking will always be associated with some sort of problem. Whether it is because of space availability, cost, location, or the rules associated with it. 

The key is learning to adapt and make the most of what you currently have while also helping those who pose the question of, “What is the problem?”, understand parking a little better.