Parking and Transportation News

Church St. Parking Structure Brick Facade Repair Project

The Church St. (E8) Parking Structure is to undergo repair of its brick facade, scheduled to start Thursday, May 8 and to be completed by June 30.

One lane of traffic is scheduled to be barricaded on the 4th level, East side of the Structure at some point during the project.

No parking within the Structure is scheduled to be closed.

The East entrance/exit of the Structure is scheduled to be closed twice during the project for several days at a time. Notices will be posted at this side of the Structure in advance of closing the entrance/exit.

The E9 (surface) Lot, on the East side of the Structure, will remain open during the project, but the motorcycle parking in the West end of the E9 Lot will be closed for the duration of the project.

Posted: 05/7/2008
Updated:

Parking Structure Power Washing Schedule

Spring/Summer 2008

May 6-9 (6:00 - (9:00 am) - Hill St. (S8) Structure

May 8 (7:00- 11:30 pm) - Taubman (M18) Structure - North deck, Gold & Valet sections

May 9 (6:00 pm start) - Taubman (M18) Structure - South deck, Levels 3 & 3A

May 10 (5:00 am start) - Taubman (M18) Structure - South deck, Level 2A

May 12-13, 15-16 (6:00 - 9:00 am) - Fletcher St. (N13) Structure

May 17-18, 24-25 (6:00 - 10:00 am) - Palmer Dr. (N26) Structure

May 19-23 (6:00 - 9:00 am) - Catherine St. (M5) Structure

May 19-23 (6:00 - 11:30 pm) - Cancer Center (M15) Structure

May 27-30 (6:00 - 11:30 pm) - Ann St. (M86) Structure

June 2-6 (6:00 - 11:30 pm) - CVC (M85) Structure

June 2-6 (6:00 - 11:30 pm) - Thayer St. (N4) Structure

June 16-20 (6:00 - 11:30 pm) - Glen Ave. (M61) Structure

June 23-27 (6:00 - 11:30 pm) - Simpson Circle/Mott (M22) Structure

July 7-11 (6:00 - 9:00 am) - Church St. (E8) Structure

Posted: 05/7/2008
Updated:

Curb Your Car Month

More than 20 University of Michigan departments have entered the Commuter Challenge in Ann Arbor's Curb Your Car month. How about you? See more information and all the events associated with this important month encouraging all of us to discover the health, cost and environmental benefits of walking, biking, busing & carpooling/vanpooling to work.

For more information see http://www.getdowntown.org/.

Posted: 05/5/2008
Updated:

2008-2009 Student Parking Permit Sales Notice

Parking for students at the University of Michigan is very limited, and we strongly encourage students to leave their vehicles at home. There are many services available for moving around campus and the City of Ann Arbor, so personal vehicles are not usually necessary. Students may ride any Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA) bus route for free by showing their valid University of Michigan Identification card to the bus driver. In addition, our Zipcar car-sharing program is available, information available at www.zipcar.com/umich.

For commuting students and those who absolutely must bring their vehicle to campus, it is important to understand that:

Student parking is located off-site.
Lots are accessible by bus or, in certain locations, within walking distance of the campus.
Parking is intended for commuting students.
Very limited storage parking is available.
All vehicles must be moved within 48 hours, except for the limited student storage parking areas.

Student parking permits are available to Junior, Senior and Graduate Students only. Freshman and sophomore students are only eligible for the Student Storage parking permits. However, daily commuters may park at one of the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA) Park & Ride lots or may seek private parking off-campus (although this too is extremely limited). Students must be registered for classes to purchase permits.

Freshman and sophomore students with exceptional needs who require the use of their vehicle may appeal the parking eligibility policy by completing a UM Student Parking Appeal form (Adobe Acrobat PDF format). If you cannot print the form from our web site, it is also available at our office or may be ordered by phone (734) 647-3615. All appeals will be answered within 5 business days.

Appeals for the following reasons will not be considered:

Work locations or responsibilities
Personal convenience
Extracurricular activities
Proximity of permanent residence

Important: Only parking options obtained from and issued by Parking Services are valid in University lots and structures. Reproduction of any parking permit is a violation of University policy. Students are not eligible for faculty and staff parking permits (Gold, Blue, Yellow or Orange) and any such permits or gate access obtained from sources other than Parking and Transportation Services will be confiscated and the individuals involved severely penalized.

Permits issued from the Parking and Transportation Services office may be returned at any time for a pro-rated refund. Refunds are limited to amounts pre-paid excluding the month the option is returned.

Parking and Transportation Services does not issue permits for University Housing parking lots adjacent to several residence halls or for the Northwood Community Apartments.

Please read the following information to find out "What's New" for the 2008-2009 permit year:

Order Your Permit Online

Student parking permits are available to juniors, seniors and Graduate Students only and may be ordered online. Class level is based strictly on the status stated in the University's Student database. Transfer students may need confirmation of their class level from their University advisor. Advisors may e-mail Parking and Transportation Services at umpark@umich.edu to provide confirmation. Information should include the student's name, University Identification number and class status.

To order your parking option, go to permits.pts.umich.edu. You will be required to log-in using your Kerberos password. The online application will be available starting April 23. The only payment option available online is credit card (Visa, MasterCard or Discover). Please note Student Storage permits are only available at the Parking and Transportation Services office at 508 Thompson Street.

If you do not require a parking permit starting July 1, we suggest that you wait to order your permit until two weeks before you need student parking. This will save you money, because any permit ordered online before July 15 will be for the full annual rate.

Student permits may also be purchased at the Parking and Transportation Services office at 508 Thompson Street after June 16. Office hours are 7:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, with one exception. Each Tuesday, the office is closed between 11:30 am and 1 pm.

AATA Park & Ride Lot at Maple Village

The Park & Ride lot at Maple Village Shopping Center is no longer available. Alternative parking can be found at the Miller Road Park & Ride lot on the south side of Miller Road at M-14. This location is served by Route 12UM Miller-University.

Student Storage Permit - Change of location

The parking location for the Student Storage permit offered on south campus has been changed from Lot SC22 (gravel lot) to a paved lot located nearby (SC39). The number of permits available at this location is 15.

2008-2009 Annual Student Permit Fees

Parking option for all eligible students:

Student Orange	$70
Student Storage	$196

Parking options for Graduate Students:

Student Yellow	$141
Student After Hour	$54
Student Orange w/After Hour	$124
Student Yellow w/After Hour	$195

Questions can be directed to umpark@umich.edu or (734) 764-8291.

Posted: 04/25/2008
Updated:

2008-2009 Faculty and Staff Permit Sales/Renewal

Faculty and staff who currently possess an active 2008 parking permit will receive one of two mailings - either notification of automatic renewal or an application for a 2009 permit.

Permit holders who now use a Blue or Yellow Automatic Vehicle Identification (AVI) permit, and have payroll deductions, will receive only a postcard at their campus address indicating the amount of their automatic payroll deduction for the new permit year. No other action on the part of the Blue or Yellow AVI holder is required.
Physicians and others identified as having exceptional parking needs who currently possess a Gold AVI device, and have payroll deductions, will receive only a postcard at their home address indicating the amount of their automatic payroll deduction for the new permit year. No other action on the part of the Gold AVI holder is required.
All other permit holders, including those that obtained a 2008 Gold permit through the Gold lottery, AVI permit holders without payroll deductions due to their appointments, as well as staff and faculty with Blue, Yellow or Orange hangtags or windshield permits, will receive an application mailed to their home address. The new permit year will begin July 1.

The postcards and applications will be mailed on April 24.

AVI permit holders - If you wish to change your permit option, you will need to return your AVI device to the Parking and Transportation Services at 508 Thompson Street before making a new selection.

If you do not receive your application or postcard by April 30, please contact the Parking and Transportation Services (PTS) office at 764-8291.

Those who are not included in the annual renewal application process, including research fellows, staff with less than 50 percent appointments and temporaries, will need to visit the PTS office to obtain their 2008-2009 parking option. New Parking Request forms must be completed for these individuals.

Please read the following information to find out "What's New" for the 2008-2009 permit year:

Proration Schedule

To view the cost of a permit, click here.

Order Your Hang Tag or Windshield Permit Online

To order your parking option, go to permits.pts.umich.edu. All payment options are available online, including payroll deductions. You will be required to log-in using your Kerberos password. The online application will be available starting April 23. We encourage everyone to order their parking permit before June 6 to ensure that you receive the permit before the start of the new permit year (July 1).

Hard Copy Applications Still Available

If you do not have computer access, you may order your permit using the enclosed application. Please verify your address in section B and make corrections if necessary. If you are selecting a traditional hang tag or windshield permit, also complete section A. If you are selecting an Automatic Vehicle Identification (AVI) permit, also complete section C.

Elimination of the Blue Hang Tag

During the last few years, the demand for the Blue hang tag has greatly diminished with the activation of gate-controlled parking via AVI permits. Therefore effective this year, the hang tag permit style is no longer available.

There are several advantages for customers possessing the Blue AVI permit:

Permits do not expire. They are automatically renewed each year.
Monthly payroll deductions continue uninterrupted for as long as you retain the AVI permit.
Continuous payroll deductions assure AVI permit parkers of uninterrupted parking access.
Parking flexibility - structures and surface lots.

Lot Designation Color (Tier) Change on Wall Street

Effective July 1, 2008, Lot M76 on the east side of Wall Street will be converted from Yellow to Blue. A Blue AVI permit will be required to park in the lot. Gold permits will also be honored.

Thompson Street Parking Structure Addition and Renovation

Construction of addition to the Thompson Street Parking Structure for 350+ parking spaces will begin in July and will last approximately 18 months. The construction site includes the small surface lots behind the structure on Division Street. Some parking spaces will be temporarily closed in the structure as the work progresses. If necessary, additional Blue parking spaces will be placed in Lot W18 (metered lot on Thompson Street).

Gold Permit Lottery

Gold parking permit sales are capped each year. An annual lottery is held to distribute a set number of Gold parking permits. If you are interested in obtaining a Gold permit for the 2009 permit year, you must enter the lottery by submitting your name online at permits.pts.umich.edu by June 4. Lottery participants will be contacted by e-mail of the drawing results. If selected, you will receive a Gold AVI permit and be responsible for payment of the Gold permit fee ($1,381), which will be collected in 12 monthly payroll deductions of $115.09 starting in June.

Gold permits issued to last year's Gold lottery participants will expire at the end of the day on June 30, 2008 and must be returned to the PTS office at 508 Thompson Street, unless the individual obtains a Gold permit again in the new lottery.

If current Gold parkers wish to change to a different parking tier, they should order a new permit online. Please remember that the Gold permit must be returned as soon as it expires (June 30).

Disabled Parkers - Handicap Verification Permits

Handicap Verification permits will automatically be re-issued to any 2009 permit holder whose state-issued disabled placard/license plate does not expire prior to July 1, 2008. No additional paperwork is required. The 2009 permit will be mailed to your home address in mid-June.

If you received a new state-issued disability placard/license plate during the 2008 permit year and did not register it with PTS, please call (734) 764-8291 for assistance.

In order to park in the handicap parking spaces provided in University lots and structures during enforcement hours, the Handicap Verification permit must be displayed with the state-issued Disability placard/license plate and appropriate U-M color-coded permit.

Carpool Program Enhancement

The U-M Carpool Program has been enhanced to include two new features to more closely resemble the Vanpool Program and its benefits:

Carpoolers will now be able to share the expense of their one parking permit via payroll deductions. Each member can pay their share of the parking permit by pre-tax payroll deductions.
Carpools of 3 or more riders may request a signed reserved parking space, for an extra fee, specific to each pool, in a structure or lot in proximity to their workplace, where available. This reserved space fee will be added to the permit fee and may be included in the carpool members' payroll deduction amount. The rates for reserved spaces are as follows:
- Blue Permit reserved space - $300
- Yellow Permit reserved space - $200
- Orange Permit reserved space - $100

Shared Annual Expense Grid

# of Carpoolers		2	3	4	5	6
Shared Blue Permit		$306	$204	$153	$122	$102
	With Reserved Space	n/a	$304	$228	$182	$152
Shared Yellow Permit		$71	$47	$35	$28	$24
	With Reserved Space	n/a	$114	$85	$68	$57
Shared Orange Permit		$35	$23	$18	$14	$12
	With Reserved Space	n/a	$57	$43	$34	$28

Costs are per person.

Of course, when you carpool, you save more than just parking permit expenses. You also save fuel, vehicle maintenance and vehicle depreciation expenses. In addition, you reduce parking and campus traffic congestion. And, you significantly reduce vehicle emissions and contribute toward the improvement of our air quality!

For Carpool parking permit applications, please contact PTS at (734) 763-4014 or umpark@umich.edu.

GreenRide is a web-based ride-matching system we now have for University faculty & staff to connect with other U-M faculty & staff to share the commute to work. There are two commute options in the system: carpooling or vanpooling. GreenRide helps you find carpool/vanpool partners by searching for other employees who live near you and have similar schedules.

Each interested employee can create an account in the system and submit his/her commute information (days/times of the week, start and destination addresses, interest in carpool/vanpool or both). The system will immediately run a query and find the other interested employees who closely match the schedule and commute route. Then, the individual may contact the other employees by email via the website. All information is kept secure and confidential. The only information available to the user is the first name(s) of the match the system generated. The system will also locate park & ride lots at which the poolers might meet. It also can generate printable maps for the pool's commute. The system provides updates if alternate routes are recommended for construction and other detours. Another helpful application of GreenRide is that its "commute tracker" calculates your savings in mileage, fuel and car maintenance expenses.

Go to www.umich.greenride.com to find other U-M colleagues to start a carpool or vanpool!

Posted: 04/25/2008
Updated:

Carpool Program Enhancement

If you think that University of Michigan carpooling could be made more appealing, here's some news that should please you:

Effective July 1, carpoolers will be able to share the expense of their one parking permit via pre-tax payroll deductions.
Effective July 1, carpools of 3 or more riders may request (for a modest fee) a signed reserved parking space, specific to each pool, in a structure or lot in proximity to their workplace, where available.

When you carpool, you save more than just parking permit expenses. You also save fuel, vehicle maintenance and vehicle depreciation expenses. In addition, you reduce parking and campus traffic congestion. And you significantly reduce vehicle emissions and contribute toward the improvement of our air quality!

So, now's the time to form your carpool! Need other reasons to do so?

For the period of July - December, 2008, all new carpools will receive a 10% discount on their shared parking permit expense.
For the same period, we'll draw weekly winners from new carpoolers for $25 gas card prizes!

Greenride Ride-Matching

To make it easier to form a carpool (or vanpool), we now have GreenRide - a web-based ride-matching system to connect with other U-M faculty & staff to share the commute to work. GreenRide helps you find carpool/vanpool partners by searching for other employees who live near you and have similar schedules.

Create an account in the system, submit your commute information (days/times of the week, start & destination addresses) and the system will immediately run a query and find other interested employees who closely match the schedule and commute route. Then, via the website, you may contact the other employee(s) by email, and all information is kept secure and confidential. The only information available to the user is the first name(s) of the match the system generated. The system will also locate park & ride lots at which the poolers might meet and generate printable maps for the pool's commute, and will provide updates if alternate routes are recommended for construction and other detours.

Another helpful application of GreenRide is that its "commute tracker" calculates your savings in mileage, fuel and car maintenance expenses.

When you click on the GreenRide link, follow this process:

Registration

Click on the "Log In or Create an Account" link at the top right of the page.
Enter your UM Login ID & Kerberos password.
At the GreenRide Registration Guide, enter your home & work locations, days & hours you commute & other specifics to better match with other commuters.

You can choose what information people can and cannot see. It will even work if you hide all your information from public view.

Conducting a Search

Click on the "My Page" tab at the top of the page.
Click on the "Show My Matches" button.
If positive matches for route & schedule are found, they will be listed by first name only with a location shown on a map.
If no positive matches are found, the system will ask if you would like to change some of your information to help find a match.
When you find matches, you can click on their names to learn more detail if it's available.
You can start your ride-sharing inquiry here and start to send messages to your matches with the pre-generated email template provided.
These messages will not reveal your email address or the email addresses of the matches; only first names, based on registered preferences.

Go to www.umich.greenride.com to find other U-M colleagues to start a new carpool or vanpool, save money, help the environment & maybe win a prize!

Posted: 03/31/2008
Updated: