Maps and traffic on readers' minds

Inside NAU continues to answer questions of general interest on any topic. If you have a parking question specific to your situation e-mail ask-parking@nau.edu.

QUESTION: What are the new bus routes now that Knoles is closed at McMullen Circle? The map on the Parking Services site still shows the old routes.

ANSWER: Maps of the new bus routes were recently updated. Printed schedules of the new routes are available at the Parking Services office or can be accessed online.

While there are still some minor changes in parking that are not appearing on the online version of the parking map—such as the employee parking now available at P10a reported last week—the Parking Services web site offers the most updated map of campus parking available.

Q: I was interested in your response to the pedestrian who feels unsafe on Knoles Drive due to increased speeds. I am also interested that despite the claim to be advocating for more non-motorized travel on campus, the university has provided no safe way for bicycles to get from Geology/School of Com/Old Main/Ashurst off campus northward. How does the university intend to rectify this problem?

Also, how will emergency vehicles have access to someone in or accidents near one of the buildings south of the barriers?

A: The safety of bicyclists on campus has always been important. The central pedway through the spine of campus offers a safe route for bicyclists and pedestrians to travel to and from north and south campus without having to mingle with motorized traffic. While construction on the new laboratory facility on the north end of the pedway cannot be overlooked, Capital Assets has gated off the work site, and bike and foot traffic can still flow all the way up to Dupont Avenue.

At the same time, NAU Police reminds bicyclists to practice these safety tips:

• Bike helmets are an essential element to bicycle safety.
• Always strap on an approved safety helmet before you ride.
• Don't ride double.
• Never go in and out of traffic.
• Don't weave between parked cars or go between two cars.
• Ride near the curb in the same direction of traffic.
• Obey traffic signs and signals.
• Make eye contact with drivers and drive defensively. Assume that other drivers don't see you.
• Keep both hands on the handlebars. (Don't talk on your cell phone, eat or drink while operating a bicycle.)
• Use lights at night.
• Keep bike in good repair
• Dress appropriately.

Regarding your question about emergency vehicle access, once the electronic gate at Knoles is installed, which is anticipated by the end of October, all emergency vehicles will have an actuator to activate and gain access through the gate.

In the meantime, the responding agencies—NAU Police, Flagstaff Fire Department and Guardian Ambulance—have all been advised that the barriers are in place and are planning their emergency responses accordingly. If, for example, there is a call for dispatch to the Blome building, responders will still come in from Dupont Avenue to respond. If they are dispatched to the Gammage building, emergency responders have been advised to come in from the south side of the building.

Two readers submitted comments/questions on a number of related issues. The questions have been condensed for brevity and clarity, but readers can view the original questions in their entirety here.

Q: What is the status of the GPS units that were supposed to have been installed?

A: Parking Services reports having installed GPS systems at the five highest volume bus stops on campus: at the Central Union, near the Social and Behavioral Sciences building, near Ardrey Auditorium, by the NAU Bookstore, and near Rolle Activity Center.

A GPS electrician has been hired and is gathering data at each of the sites. Once the data collection is complete—which is expected within the next two weeks—the system will allow riders to monitor shuttle bus activity.

Q: I recently waited 25 minutes for a bus. Aren't buses supposed to arrive at a stop every 15 minutes? Also, what is the long-term plan for reducing traffic congestion?

A: Clearly the traffic congestion on campus is a concern, particularly to those who are relying on campus shuttles for timely service. The traffic congestion on San Francisco is the primary culprit behind shuttle delays, and the administration is aware that the shuttles are not operating on 15-minute intervals. Capital Assets has been charged with closely monitoring campus traffic to explore various solutions that will help ease traffic congestion without impacting other main roads on campus.

Q: Why does Inside NAU continuously disregard reader questions? For example, somebody made a comment regarding the carpool spots. I, too, have a carpool spot that other people are continuously parking in. I realized today that Parking Services is not ticketing "right away" as was claimed in the response on Inside NAU. Rather, they are taking their time, sometimes not even ticketing the vehicles parked in our spot before they leave.

A: We reported last week that "Parking Services is enforcing parking regulations and has been notified of your situation. If someone is parked illegally in your carpool spot, call (928) 523-9066 and a dispatcher will be sent out right away to ticket the car."

There are a number of factors that affect the arrival time of a ticketing officer (see related response below). If you are waiting longer than you feel necessary for Parking Services to dispatch a ticketing officer, we recommend you contact Robert Sedillo at Parking Services to discuss your specific concerns: Robert.Sedillo@nau.edu or (928) 523-1182.

The Office of Public Affairs welcomes general questions about parking or other issues on campus as a way to foster a two-way dialogue about broad issues facing NAU employees. All comments and concerns are taken seriously by Inside NAU, Parking Services, Capital Assets, and any other departments we consult with to respond to readers' questions.

As pointed out in earlier editions of Inside NAU, representatives from Capital Assets and Parking Services are offering to meet with any individual or group about parking or traffic concerns. To schedule a meeting, contact Richard.Bowen@nau.edu or Robert.Sedillo@nau.edu.

Q: I have a carpool space reserved, and I too have had issues with others parking in the spot. My spot is only one block from the Parking Services office, yet today a vehicle sat in my spot for 45 minutes without being ticketed, even though I had informed the office of the situation. Can Parking Services better reinforce these new rules by ticketing more?

A: Ticketing officers are being asked to monitor those spots more closely to verify carpool permits and issue citations. But because it is becoming a recurring problem for many legitimately registered carpoolers, Parking Services is proposing to take the issue one step further by installing tow-away zone signs and towing those who violate carpool stalls.

The response time for dispatched ticketing officers is affected by a number of variables, including the time of day, the number of officers on the clock and their current locations in relation to the dispatch site. Also, when a ticketing officer is dispatched to another lot for a call-in response, they are instructed to first finish citing in the lot where they are working.

Because the ticketing jobs are filled by student workers, finding students to fill the day shift can be a challenge due to conflicts with class scheduling. Parking Services reports it still needs to hire five additional students for the day shift, and is encouraging any students looking for work to apply.

Q: Why weren't these changes better planned? Why take away parking before replacing it? Why not hire more ticketing agents if there are not enough to enforce the law? Why block North/South traffic before creating a reliable bus system? Why not hold another public forum to get input now that this horrendous plan is being enacted?

A: Many of these questions have been addressed in previous issues of Inside NAU, which began reporting on the parking changes in May. You can read a compilation of all the questions submitted through Inside NAU, including how the changes were planned and how they fit into the campus master plan, why P1 closed before the new parking garage was finished, and why Knoles was closed to through traffic.

While there will not likely be a campus forum to address parking changes, Rich Bowen, associate vice president for Administration and Finance, and Robert Sedillo, manager of Parking Services, are available to discuss the changes with any individual or group. Contact them at Rich.Bowen@nau.edu or Robert.Sedillo@nau.edu.

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