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Wednesday, May 29, 1996

New, high-tech parking system may be a 'plus' for many campus commutersBy Toni Dimayuga

Daily Bruin Contributor

Hi-tech, futuristic gadgets reminiscent of "Mission: Impossible" will soon be appearing at a UCLA parking lot near you.

In an effort to improve current parking conditions, Transportation Services has begun installing the Bruin Park Plus access system in all campus parking structures.

The project, which began on May 10, is the culmination of two years evaluating UCLA's parking situation, explained Penny Menton, associate director of Transportation Services.

Beginning operation on July 1, Bruin Park Plus is an elaborate system meant to efficiently create more parking spaces.

The new system contains a number of state-of-the-art features. In addition to new gates, magnetic stripe tickets will take the place of tokens for those who park daily. Underground detection loops will count cars entering and exiting from parking areas and alert officials to filled lots.

Proximity cards, replacing current key cards, will allow permit holders to enter the parking area by waving their permits in front of an electronic reader.

In addition, an intercom linked to the Parking and Commuter Services office will be provided for those who experience any difficulties with the new system.

The $5 to $6 million project will be paid off over the next six to nine years, Menton said. She explained that over time, the system will pay for itself due to the creation of additional spaces.

There will not be any additional increases due to the project, Menton emphasized, and next year's parking permit fee increase has nothing to do with Bruin Park Plus.

The additions will be unveiled in two phases, explained Katherine Todd, Project Manager of Bruin Park Plus. Equipment will first be installed and later linked to the new additions ­ via an electronic network ­ to a centralized computer system in Lot 8.

Many students anticipated the arrival of the new parking equipment and believe it will improve parking services.

"Before, it seems like when I park in there, they're giving away spaces that aren't really there. I'll go in the lot and everything will be full," said Kyle Nagata, a fourth-year sociology student.

To counter this dilemma, the detection loops ­ a system of underground sensors ­ will provide information on space availability. As a result, parking attendants will be able to tell drivers whether or not spaces are available at that moment in their desired lots.

Others understood the frustration their fellow students have with current conditions and believed Bruin Park Plus will be an improvement.

"I know it's a hassle for my friends with their little cards sticking it into that thing ­ that slot. So it seems easier and faster," said Lisette Macias, a first-year biology student.

Despite the number of positive responses, other students believed the upcoming access system won't alleviate the existing crowding problem.

"I don't think it's going to improve conditions. They're already bad enough as it is. There's not enough parking, period, so I don't know how it's going to help," said Kira Molas, a fourth-year sociology student.

Nagata, who is graduating soon, regretted that he will not be able to experience Bruin Park Plus.

"I wish they would have had it when I was using it."

For more information on Bruin Park Plus, call Parking and Commuter Services at (310) 206-PARK.

Construction crews at Structure 3 install electronic equipment which will count the number of cars entering and leaving, alerting staff when the structure fills.

Manuel Reos and Ramon Contreras pour cement on the parking median in Structure 5 as part of the multi-million dollar Bruin Park Plus project. The new wiring will connect each gate to the information booth via intercoms.