By Joshua Wisel
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark (UATV)- This September the University of Arkansas Parking and Transit Department is asking commuters whether students or faculty to participate in the annual 2024 Commuter Survey.
As record enrollment continued into this year, parking has become a major concern for students and staff who commute to campus. Because of issues like parking, demand for alternative transportation is on the rise for those trying to navigate campus.
One form of alternative transportation on the rise due to parking issues, are electric motorized vehicles such as student owned electric vehicles and the rental e-scooters students can find across campus. Over the last few years, additional forms of rental e-vehicles have grown at the U of A with e-scooter and e-bike options, as well as their own designated parking.
“We’ve seen a huge uptick in the number of personal electric vehicles on campus, which includes Onewheel’s, e-scooters, e-bikes, and pretty much anything with a motor,” said Emma Armendariz, U of A Active Transportation Coordinator. “I think people are figuring out they’re super convenient and relatively affordable, and they make active transportation more accessible to everyone.”
Trends in alternative transportation usage on campus are the reason these surveys are conducted. Surveys like this from Parking and Transit can help accommodate rising trends in personal vehicles and can influence new projects such as additional parking for these vehicles.
“These surveys are our primary mode of collecting data, what we use it for is to inform our decisions around transportation at the U of A,” said Armendariz. “For example, we’ve seen a huge increase in the number of bicycles on campus, so that tells us we need more bike parking and premium options who bring a bike to campus and have nowhere to put it that’s safe.”
Armendariz added that this feedback can help with planning for the two additional resident halls coming to Maple Hill, and the opportunities for bike parking for incoming residents. It can also assist in other projects such as the upcoming Maple St. renovation next year, and the need for a bike lane, as well as wider sidewalks for commuters.
“If you ride your bike, walk, drive, then we want to know if you like it, and what we can do to make the experience better,” said Armendariz.
The survey began in early September and will continue until the end of the month. To participate in the survey, students and faculty can visit news.uark.edu for the 2024 Commuter Survey.
