The Problem of Parking in Arizona State University Campus - Assignment Example

Business formal report Letter of Transmittal April 28, Supervisor, Parking and Transit Services Arizona Arizona - 86001 Dear Sir, The attached report describes the problem of parking in Arizona State University Campus and it provides recommendation for the best course of actions. The report is according to the specifications as ordered by the supervisor in charge of Parking and Transit services in ASU and it is believed that it will give the insight of what needs to be done to improve parking services in other state universities in United States too. The current study is designed to address the followings: Problems associated with on campus parking in Arizona State University for students, faculty and staff members. Reasons for dissatisfaction and complaints by them. Recommendations for best course of action. Primary research was conducted among the students; faculties and staff members of the institution and their views and recommendations are carefully recorded and analyzed. Results of this research, discussed fully in this report, indicate that Parking and Transit Services in Arizona State University needs significant changes. We would be pleased to discuss this report and its conclusion with you at your request and we would like to express our sincere gratitude for showing confidence in selecting me to prepare this comprehensive report. Sincerely, -------------- Executive Summary Parking space is either insufficient for drivers’ demand, poorly allocated, or both. The question, “Did you have a hard time finding a parking spot?” is asked as often as, “Did you go to the library last night?” In our experience at educational institutions, for parking not to be a problem at a major university campus, especially when compared to most private sector alternatives, would be the exception rather than the rule. Part of the problem lies in the value of an individual parking space. Shoup (2005) calculates that a new parking space in the United States cost 17 percent more than a new car, and that in most cases, parking spaces cost more than the cars parked in them, in part because cars depreciate in value faster than parking spaces do. If this applies to urban areas in general, how much more would this apply to university properties in particular, which are bounded and often a small portion of a greater metropolitan area? The marginal value of parking spaces on university property is likely much higher. Contents Business formal report 1 Letter of Transmittal 2 Executive Summary 3 Contents 4 Discussion of Findings 6 Summary 14 Works Cited 16 Appendix 17 Introduction Parking has always been a center for discussion and criticism in American Universities. While most of students studying in American Universities are quite accustomed in driving cars, the problem of parking was an expected issue. Parking problems in Universities has been considered as the one of most burning problems that has no definite solution. There is a persistent complaint on parking on the college campuses today. Parking spaces are found to be insufficient for drivers’ demand or it may be poorly allocated. Big universities, which are more like small cities, contain athletic facilities, lodging, healing centers, libraries, exhibition halls, restaurants, stores, theaters along with classrooms. So it is relevant that they will face transportation problems. Some of them have engineered several pricing reforms - such as offering fare-free public transit and charging market prices for parking which have shown positive results. This article is presented to discover the common problems associated with parking and transit services in Arizona State University. To perform this research, structured interview with close ended questionnaire was performed. The advantage of close ended questionnaire is that it can provide objective knowledge of the problem. Lastly, by analyzing the results, necessary recommendations are made. Discussion of Findings To analyze the problem of parking in Arizona State University is analyzed using set of close ended questionnaire and performing structured interviews. Before discussing the findings, the basic research methodology is explained in brief. The above figure shows the research methodology used in this regard. Research Paradigm is interpretive because this type research studies the reasons of actions that occur in both face to face interactions as well as communication with the wider society surrounding the immediate scene of action. This descriptive way of research is ideal in the case of participant observation. To conduct interpretive research on a setting where already there exists substantial debate and dispute over this burning issue, intense and methodical participant observation is required, followed by deliberate and long-term reflection on the mindset of the participants involved, strong analytical skill should be present in the interviewer. The advantages of interpretive research lie in the scientific trustworthiness of the paradigm- i. Credibility: this is also the internal validity of the data. The prolonged engagement, persistent observation associated with interpretive approach assures the credibility of the data. ii. Transferability: this is external validity of data. The broad description of context, process, and findings helps in establishing the trustworthiness of the research. iii. Reliability: The descriptive analysis method used in this method makes the paradigm dependable. iv. Objectivity: there exists substantial consistency between collected data and the interpretation. The research approach is inductive, because no set hypothesis was drawn at the first time. The observed result is analyzed and based on the result the hypothesis is deduced. This research is also known as the bottom up approach where the researcher comes to the hypothesis after collecting and analyzing the data and subsequently, the research hypothesis is deduced considering the assumptions The research method used is qualitative. Quantitative research is a logical and data led approach and it describes the opinion of the participants form the numerical and statistical point of view. Quantitative research is done by using questionnaires and surveys that participants tick from given options. Quantitative research is mainly done by close ended questionnaires and data are collected based on the option provided by the researcher. Quantitative research method is generated by using the numerical data that are collected through structured questionnaire and qualitative research method can be done by using non-numerical information. This type of research is very flexible as it can be carried through face to face interview or by interview over telephone. It can be said that preparing the sampling design is a very important process in regards to the conduction of a successful market research. Talking on this note, it can be said that the sampling design process comprise of various steps like defining the target population, determining the frame of sample, selecting the appropriate kind of a sampling techniques, selecting the right sample size and finally conducting and successfully executing the sampling process. For the purpose of data collection from the respondents, it can be said that the most appropriate sampling method will be the usage of simple random sampling technique. Better results from the result can be achieved if the samples taken from the population are random in nature. For accurate and appropriate data collection, 100 participants consisting of students, faculties and staff members were selected for structured interview process. Interviewees are chosen randomly as it will help to reduce the possible biasness. In this case of interview the questions are pre-planned. Each interview is an exact replication of the other. It can be carried via different methods such as face to face, telephonic, video calls or using the internet. The interview consists of questionnaires and survey which is answered by the participants, and based on their responses the result is evaluated. A questionnaire is simply a tool for collecting and recording information about a particular source of interest. It comprises of list of standard questions with adequate space for clear and relevant answers. Structured questionnaires are usually associated with quantitative research. This method can be used in variety of survey operations. Face to face and telephonic questionnaires are asked by interviewers and the responses of people is carefully recorded and monitored for further analysis. This method is particularly used when classification of people needs to be done according to their circumstances. This is a complete straightforward approach to look at the basic attitudes/opinions of a group of people relating to a particular issue. The results that are found from the close ended questionnaire are discussed below: Do you think parking in university campuses is hectic? It was found that most of faculties and students reported that the parking facilities on campus are hectic in nature and there is no proper solution of it. Thus, it proves that the argument that is proposed is true. Do you think parking spaces are not enough for proper parking? The car drivers were quite dissatisfied with the parking spaces in the campus. They have said that limited parking spaces are often subject to unavailability of them and it leads to complete on campus transit failure. The more the campus is organized, the more it is easier for them to reach the desired spot of parking and it reduces the cost associated with it. Do you feel comfortable while driving in the campus? The car drivers were disappointed with the transit routes in campus. The transit routes are often complex and dominated by traditional mode of transport, such as bicycles. This creates a huge problem in driving on campus. Do you find it easy to get your desired spot of parking on campus? This time also, most of the participants denied about getting their desired parking spots on campus. Do you think high cost of parking is the primary problem of parking on campus? Yes, the cost of parking on campus is relatively higher. This is countered by the University authorities by their statement that significant investments are made throughout the year on infrastructure building and hence, cost of parking is meant to be increased. The above figure shows the amount of investment that has been done by the university throughout different years. And it is found that most of the time, the investment is higher than the previous year, thus to cover up the investment done, price associated with parking must be increased (Shoup, 2002). Setup expenses are liable to be high. Without doing a full detail and outline, these costs cant be exactly assessed but they are expected to be in the region of tens of thousands of dollars. Do you think Arizona State University is the only college having parking problems? Most of the respondents said that only ASU was not having the problem of PTS on campus. Other university such as University of California was subjected to this problem. University of California president Clark Kerr once spoke in his lecture in Harvard Business School that, “I have sometimes thought of the modern university as a series of individual faculty entrepreneurs held together by a common grievance over parking. The administrators’ job has come to be defined as providing parking for the faculty as well as for the students” (Shoup, 2002). Do you think the University must take drastic step to improve the on campus transit facility as well? The answer was yes. Most of the participants felt that institutions should take immediate noticeable actions to improve parking facilities on campus. Have you ever faced any incident of car damage due to inadequate parking spaces? Sometimes in non reserved places, there are some incidents of car damage. But in case of administered spaces reserved for special people, which is present in most of the universities, the number of car damage is very less. For example, At Berkeley, only Nobel Laureates are eligible for a named parking space, which is considered as the college’s highest status symbol. After Charles Townes won the Nobel Prize for physics in 1964, Berkeley provided him a named parking spot on campus, after seeing which, Townes commented, “It saves me a whole lot of time. The cost is not the big thing—it’s the convenience.” Thus proper parking space adds convenience to the faculties and students. Do you think bicycles and other mode of conventional transports should be used in university campuses? Car drivers were strongly against using bicycles in college campus even though it is considered as the best, convenient, and pollution free transport available. It is found that Bicycling is a critical component of the transportation network on campus. According to the 2010 Campus Transportation Survey, “A relatively large percentage of the campus population living within bicycling distance of campus usually drives to campus in a single occupancy vehicle. Increasing parking rates may be an effective method of shifting members of the campus population to alternative modes.” If dedicated lane and large parking facilities are introduced, do you think it is going to solve the problem? Dedicated places and routes can solve the parking and transit issues on campus to some extent, according to the reactions of the respondents. Large parking facilities can reduce the car damage and increase ease of parking in the location. Dedicated lane can solve the problem of traffic congestion during large number of car parking and exit time. Summary Parking spaces are found to be insufficient for drivers’ demand and most of the people associated with car parking facilities in ASU felt dissatisfied with the parking facilities in the campus. Proper parking and transit facilities are absolute necessity for every student, faculty and the academic staffs of the college. The high degree of dissatisfaction among the people associated creates a negative image about the infrastructure of the institution. The following conclusions and recommendations have been made from the things discussed above. Conclusions and Recommendations The report detailed a number of solutions which could help ease the parking situation on ASU campus. A number of the solutions are low-cost or free, such as improving information dissemination about existing programs and facilities, more efficient managing of existing parking, and adjusting bus routes and schedules. Their implementation is also recommended, though a detailed cost-benefit analysis should be done to ensure that these would represent good value for money to the university. This analysis may show that a given solution is not worth implementing at this time but would become worthwhile in the future as campus parking problems continue to deteriorate, such as may be the case with the park and ride availability information system. Implementing the individualized marketing campaign in the near future, while somewhat costly, could provide significant benefits in the short term. This may potentially mitigate some of the on-campus and park and ride problems before they occur (Arizona State University, 2014). Works Cited Shoup, David. PARKING ON A SMART CAMPUS: LESSONS FOR UNIVERSITIES AND CITIES. Department of Urban Planning, UCLA School of Public Affairs. 2002. Print. Arizona State University. About asu. 2014.Web. 30th May, 2014. Appendix Questionnaire (Answers are in Yes/No) 1. Do you think parking in university campuses is hectic? 2. Do you think parking spaces are not enough for proper parking? 3. Do you feel comfortable while driving in the campus? 4. Do you find it easy to get your desired spot of parking on campus? 5. Do you think high cost of parking is the primary problem of parking on campus? 6. Do you think Arizona State University is the only college having parking problems? 7. Do you think the University must take drastic step to improve the on campus transit facility as well? 8. Have you ever faced any incident of car damage due to inadequate parking spaces? 9. Do you think bicycles and other mode of conventional transports should be used in university campuses? 10. If dedicated lane and large parking facilities are introduced, do you think it is going to solve the problem? Read More