If you are driving to campus during peak hours, which are generally from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays, choosing specific lots can save you time searching for a parking space. Driving directly to a lower-demand location often is the easiest and quickest way to park and get to your destination.
For instance, Lot 18 on Main Campus — east of the Student Recreation Center near Douglas Road — is open to faculty and staff, commuters and freshman commuters (A, C and K permits, respectively) and has available spaces during peak times. It takes only about nine minutes to walk from Lot 18 to Carlson Library, which may be faster than circling a high-demand parking lot to find a space during peak hours.
Additionally, Lot 25 near Rocket Hall at the corner of Dorr Street and Secor Road also is open to A, C and K permit-holders. It takes about 12 minutes to walk from Lot 25 to University Hall. And, Lot 20 — which is off Oakwood Avenue near the College of Engineering complex — has readily available parking spaces during peak hours.
“On Main Campus, keep in mind that high-demand parking is on the north end of campus, nearest Bancroft Street,” advised Sherri Kaspar, manager of parking safety services. “There is always parking available on the south end of campus, particularly south of the bike trail.
“If you’re parking on Health Science Campus,” Kaspar offered, “Lot 46 near the Dana Cancer Center is your best bet for parking during peak times.”
Faculty, staff and students are reminded that UT Transit Services has bus stops conveniently available throughout campus, and buses run approximately every 15 minutes. For more details about these services, visit transit.utoledo.edu. Your Rocket ID card will enable you to ride for free, whether you are an employee or student.
“While we continue working toward implementing a new parking system for the University for fall semester 2017, we want drivers to know that there are available spaces throughout the day,” noted Larry Kelley, executive vice president for finance and administration. “Drivers can find parking and often reach their destination sooner if they simply bypass high-demand lots during peak times and head straight for the lower-demand lots.”
Kelley also emphasized that using other modes of transportation to get to and around campus — such as walking, biking and riding UT and TARTA buses — not only are healthier options for individuals, but also are healthier for the environment. “We have a great opportunity here to use greener options for transportation,” he said. “There are ways for traveling relatively short distances other than driving.”
Additional topics on University transportation will be covered in the coming weeks, and specific information about the new parking system will be released once details are finalized.
