Transportation and Parking Services is studying three lot and garage construction options to help the growing UC Davis campus meet its future parking needs.

The alternatives – building two parking garages or building two remote parking lots, or erecting a garage and a lot – are contained in TAPS’ draft Long Range Access Plan Options Study currently out for public review. The new construction is expected to add close to 3,000 new parking spots – when combined with a new policy prohibiting freshmen who live in the dorms from parking on campus – and raise monthly parking fees between $30 to $34 over the next 10 years.

The plan also discusses upcoming campus programs for students and employees who walk, ride their bike, carpool or take transit to campus. TAPS wants to continue many incentive programs for employees and students who do not drive to campus and seek grant funding for several more, said Alternative Transportation Coordinator Ann Davies-Nesbitt. The public has the opportunity to comment on the plan through Nov. 16.

Then, after evaluating the comments that have been received, TAPS will offer a recommendation, which will be passed on to Janet Hamilton, vice chancellor for administration. Hamilton will discuss the recommendations with other campus officials before a decision is made regarding which options to adopt.

But that doesn’t mean the report will offer a finalized picture of transportation planning over the next 10 years, said TAPS Director Cliff Contreras. Construction and parking costs especially could decrease if more commuters choose not to drive alone, or drive at all to campus, he said.

"This is a living document that will evolve over the years," Contreras said. "TAPS’ plan is to review and update the plan on a regular basis."

UC Davis’ current parking proposals are based on a 1994 Long Range Development Plan policy stating that new parking will be built when 90 percent of spaces, during a yearly survey period, are occupied.

The Winter 2001 Loop Road Parking Utilization Survey )for all parking lots within or attached to Russell Blvd, La Rue Road, California Avenue, Old Davis Road and A Street) found 84% of spaces were being used.

TAPS has determined that by 2003 UC Davis, because of campus growth, will be short 444 spaces from that benchmark.

To meet the shortfall, the university is looking at the expansion of several existing parking lots and new projects such as:

• Erecting two parking garages. One, the first built, would be on the west end of campus, likely on lot 41 near the corner of Hutchison Drive and Bolletti Way. The other garage could be built on lot 25, near the Recreation Hall, or lots 47 or 47A along La Rue Road and Meyer Hall. This option would cost about $40.7 million and raise parking fees $34 a month over the next 10 years
• Building two remote parking lots west of Interstate 80 or south of Highway 113 and shuttling drivers in to the core campus. This alternative would cost $12.4 million and raise monthly parking costs $30.
• Building one parking garage and then a few years later, building a surface lot. This plan would cost $33.5 million and increase monthly parking fees by $33.

The parking increases are so similar, Contreras said, because of the $600,000 yearly cost of the shuttle program. To use one remote lot TAPS would need to purchase three buses to provide service on ten minute headways, he said.

TAPS has also outlined its plans to encourage students and employees not to drive to campus as it grows over the next few years.

Beginning in January up to 40 campus commuters will receive an $18 monthly subsidy to take an Amtrak train to Davis. UC Davis received a $9,000 grant from the Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District to support the program.

The university was also granted $3,000 from the air district to allow UC Davis students and employees to purchase a top-of-the-line compact bike trailer for about $180 –$100 off their $280 typical price tag. The trailers, used for storage, will be available in December.

TAPS also expects to again offer the "Spare the Air Rewards" program, which offers the chance at cash prizes for commuters choosing to carpool, take transit, bike or walk to campus during the smoggy summer and early fall months.

Some of the many other alternative transportation options TAPS will explore over the next several years include:

• Developing a part-time carpool program for those willing to share a ride at least two times a week.
• Consider formation of van pools for employees and students who live less than the traditional 100 miles roundtrip from campus.
• Building bike lanes on Hopkins Road from Hutchison Drive to Levee Road and on Hutchison between Highway 113 and County Road 98.
• Instituting a "Don’t Drive to Lunch Bunch" program encouraging groups to eat on campus.

The draft access plan is available on-line at www.taps.ucdavis.edu, the office of each vice chancellor and dean, the TAPS office, Shields Library and the Davis Branch of the Yolo County Library. Responses to the plan may be sent to TAPS, University of California, One Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616 or e-mailed to taps@ucdavis.edu.