Parking / Traffic Meeting

Attendees:

Anastasia Brown

Mike Schuetz

Martin Klein (by phone)

Known Trail/Route Conflicts

·        In general, better parking is needed for recreational uses.  Most who access recreational uses park on the fringe of campus which is not defined well. 

·        There is adequate parking on campus for all affiliates and community users, however there is a general misunderstanding about parking rules and regulations for affiliates and visitors.

·        Campus core is lacking connected trails, continuity

·        Road striping of bike lanes does not adequately define pathway in winter season.

·        Yukon Drive is not a very enjoyable experience for non-motorized users – could use better separation. 

·        Popular short cut is between Murie Building and MBS, behind Museum to Reichardt

·        Reichart Parking lot is often full (according to students), no plan to expand

Opportunities

·        UAF wants to encourage recreational use of the trails

·        Education and better signage would likely provide a better understanding of campus parking for visitors and affiliates

·        It was noted that Troth Yeddha' will bring more visitors to campus, this would work well with North Campus desire to have a trail head in Troth Yeddha'

·        Possible short term parking area off of N Tanana would be great for Campus Core users to quickly access North Campus trails for lunch break.

·        Virology Building has new lot that could serve possible short term parking area for this purpose as well.  This lot is currently lighted, but not yet served with plug-ins.

·        No real conflicts between campus utilities and trails at the moment

·        Would be ideal to have designated path (separated if possible) on both sides of Tanana Loop slope road.  One side is currently striped.

·        Potential for Yukon Drive to become pedestrian mall/service and shuttle access only 

Side Notes

·        In general, staff do not want to walk to their office.  Students expect to walk and generally have a less definitive opinion. 

·        Parking is free for visitors after 5pm and on weekends.  Parking is NOT free for all affiliates after 5pm and on weekends, they are expected to have the required decal.  Parking enforcement after 5pm is overseen by the police, who will ticket for public health, safety and welfare type violations.

·        In general, adequate parking is provided on campus. No real plans for lot expansion.  If more was eventually needed, Taku would likely expand first.

·        The shuttle is the provide method for getting people to their destination, not providing a parking space for every user at every location.

·        Thompson Drive parking area – Buses sometime idle in this lot.  Easy lot to service.  Master Plan for this area is unknown. Would make sense to use as parking for upgraded trails south of CCHRC.

·        These trails south of CCHRC would likely be colder than those on the ridge, during winter

·        Roller Ski area – will be hard to manage and keep people from using as a short cut, unless it is totally removed from non-motorized pathways and desired pathways.

·        Grade-separated crossing along Tanana Drive could be considered for separating pathway from roadway