Parking Services at Tulane University will implement the following changes to uptown campus parking that our community can expect in 2025 and beyond. These decisions are based on the continuous improvement process that Parking Services started with Walker Consultants and internal stakeholders through a series of meetings and interviews in 2023, and a survey in 2024.
Introduction
This report shares the operational improvement action items the Tulane community can expect from Parking Services. Feedback from the community has informed these changes. Parking Services will update this online guide periodically with new information. When this guide is updated, the university community will be informed through news briefs in Tulane Today.
Phase 1 Summary
Phase 1 improvements focus on daily and hourly parking options, particularly inside the Diboll Parking Garage, and changes to the overall permit and citation processes. Details are shared in their respective sections following this introduction.
Research Methods
In October 2023, Walker Consultants assessed the existing parking systems, operations, and management pertaining to parking on Tulane's uptown campus. Their evaluation involved a hands-on approach with a week spent on campus, immersed in the environment. The process included campus tours and thoroughly examining system data. This assessment informed the action items in this guide.
During the site visit, Walker Consultants conducted a series of focus groups with representatives from the following internal stakeholder groups: the parking committee, the physical facilities committee, the University Planning department, the Division of Student Affairs, Tulane Athletics, the President's Office, Provost's Office, Howard-Tilton Memorial Library, Campus Operations, Admissions, Government Relations, and a group of students. The dialogue from these focus groups has informed the operational improvement action items in this guide.
In January 2024, the overall community was asked to complete a survey to share experiences concerning parking and transportation at the university. The survey was conducted by Walker Consultants. This survey has informed the operational improvements shared in this guide. Please note the survey is no longer available.
Findings from Walker Consultants were taken into consideration when Parking Services planned for the following Phase 1 improvements.
Phase 1: Uptown Permits & Citations
Phase 1 of our improvement plan includes changes to the hourly and daily parking permits for the Diboll Parking Garage, as well as semesterly options for annual and semesterly uptown parking permits. It also shares improvements to the citation process and fee structure.
Diboll Parking Garage: Hourly Parking
What's Currently In Place
Numbered parking spaces are available on the ground floor (1 to 17) and the second floor along the Janet Yulman Way side of the garage (18 to 43). The current cost of these spaces is $1.00 per hour.
Improvements: Payment
Please expect the following improvements to the payment system for the garage:
- All ParkMobile spaces in the garage, and outside of the garage, will be available for parking for up to 3 hours. The price will increase to $1.50 per hour.
- ParkMobile will implement the lockout feature to maintain integrity of hourly parking for all ParkMobile spaces and zones on campus. This means that the zone cannot be reused for 60 minutes and may result in a citation.
- The hourly numbered spaces in the garage can be purchased with the T2 PayStation (credit card or cash) located at the entrance of the visitor parking area or with the ParkMobile app (card only). Users can choose to download the app or call the number on the sign. Hourly parking outside of the garage can only be purchased using ParkMobile.
Improvements: Signage
Please expect the following improvements to signage in the garage, Parking Services plans to:
- Update signs at the at the T2 PayStation.
- Add ParkMobile signs to the ground floor of the garage to increase visibility.
- Revise overhead signage on second floor to read: Hourly Parking (3 Hour Max Spaces 18 to 43) instead of Metered Parking as it states now. This is for the purpose of having a unified message to reduce confusion.
- Add signs to the intercom pole located at the Diboll Parking Garage entrance before proceeding up the ramp. Signage will share a QR code for easy scanning.
- Add another blade sign at the T2 Paystation facing the line of sight of a vehicle pulling into the ground floor of the garage.
- Remove old signs that are no longer relevant.
Diboll Parking Garage: Daily Permits
What's Currently In Place
Daily permits currently cost $5. The daily permits are valid for use in the Diboll Parking Garage but cannot be used in any numbered hourly or reserved spaces.
Improvements to Expect
Daily permit cost will increase to $6, starting Fall 2025. This minimal increase will fund improvements to spaces, programs, and operations so that Parking Services may provide excellent services to our community. Daily permits will be available for purchase via the T2 PayStation located in the visitors section of the Diboll Parking Garage and through parking.tulane.edu (use the button that says: Access Uptown Permits & Citations).
In addition to these changes, Parking Services intends to increase the visibility of the daily permits requirements and designated spaces by revising signs in the garage and leveraging communications channels that can reach visitors before campus arrival.
Annual & Semesterly Parking Permits
What's Currently In Place
Parking Services currently offers a variety of annual parking permits to students, faculty, staff, and vendors.
Improvements: Semester-Based Options
Faculty, staff, and eligible students will now be able to purchase non-refundable permits for each semester: fall, spring, and summer sessions. These semesterly options cannot be prorated and are nonrefundable. These semesterly permits are available in addition to the usual annual permits.
Improvements: Discontinued and Consolidated Options
As of Fall 2025, Parking Services will no longer offer its Special Permit, Vendor A/B Permit, or the Alumni Permit.
Due to Claiborne Lot being transformed into the new indoor practice facility, the Vendor A/B Permits are now consolidated into a single Vendor Permit. The new Vendor Permit annual pricing will be $550.
Citations Updates
What's Currently in Place
Citation fees for parking violations range from a warning at no cost to fines that range from $10 to $60 for minor violations and between $100 and $1000 for major violations. Current citation fees are online in the AIMS permit portal, under the "violations" tab.
Improvements to Expect
Walker Consultants made several recommendations concerning updates to the citations process and fee structure. The updates include enforced accessibility compliance, proportional parking fines dependent upon citation frequency, and clearer communication on citations policy. These adjustments are intended to align with best practices and legal requirements, as well as promote fairness for permit holders. Some of these recommendations have already been implemented. Citation fees will be implemented in Fall 2025.
Thank You for Your Collaboration
Parking Services appreciates your invaluable feedback that helped inform these improvements to the services we provide. Please expect more changes announced throughout the upcoming academic year. Parking Services will notify the Tulane community through Tulane Today when this page is updated. Please contact us if you have any questions.