Students at the University of West Georgia are seeing several UWG parking changes this semester, including a new license plate recognition system, changes to commuter parking and updates to the university’s parking availability system.
UWG Parking Changes Replace Hang Tags With License Plate Recognition
One of the biggest UWG parking changes is the transition from traditional parking hang tags to a license plate recognition, or LPR, system. According to UWG Parking and Transportation Services, the new system is designed to make parking more convenient and efficient for students and employees.
The university said hang tags previously created issues with forgotten, lost or damaged permits. With the new LPR system, students and employees can register and manage their vehicles online. UWG said the system also allows parking information to remain more current when students change vehicles, housing assignments or parking needs.
Townsend Center Parking Becomes Commuter-Only
During the Day Another UWG parking change affects the Townsend Center parking lot. The lot is designated as commuter parking from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. UWG Parking and Transportation Services said the decision was made to help meet parking demand during peak academic hours.
The university said the decision was based on parking utilization data and student feedback, including responses from a university parking survey. UWG currently has approximately 4,329 active commuter parking accounts and 1,680 active resident parking accounts.
According to the university, the 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. timeframe is part of the existing parking policy and is also used for commuter and faculty and staff parking areas across campus.
UWG Parking Availability System Is Now Operational
UWG also has a parking availability feature that allows students to check occupancy information for campus parking lots. The feature recently experienced technical problems that prevented parking information from appearing.
UWG Parking and Transportation Services said the issue has been addressed and the system is now operational.
The parking availability tool is intended to help students determine which parking lots have available space before arriving on campus.
UWG Bus Routes Operate on Continuous Loops
Transportation around campus is also part of the conversation surrounding UWG parking changes. According to UWG Parking and Transportation Services, campus buses operate on continuous loops rather than having fixed arrival times at individual stops.
Under normal conditions, routes generally take approximately 15 to 17 minutes to complete a full circuit. However, bus travel times can vary because the buses operate on public roads and are affected by traffic, traffic signals and congestion around campus.
The university also said providing ADA transportation services can occasionally affect route times. Students can use the UWG Navigator Portal to track buses in real time and view estimated arrival times.
What the UWG Parking Changes Mean for Students
The university’s recent parking changes are intended to modernize parking services and respond to demand during the busiest parts of the academic day.
With the new license plate recognition system, updated parking availability information and changes to commuter parking, students have several new factors to consider when deciding where to park and how to get around campus.
For students using campus transportation, UWG recommends using the Navigator Portal to monitor bus locations and estimated arrival times
