Parking on an urban campus can be a challenge, which is why the newly renamed UAB Transportation department is focusing on getting people to, from, and around campus. The team is more strategic, after working with a premier planning and design engineering consulting firm to conduct a comprehensive parking and transportation study.

“That study helped us develop a five-year plan, which will tackle managing current and future demand, improving customer service, and enhancing transit services,” said André Davis, Director of UAB Transportation. “This is why we have invested in creating a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program at UAB, which is one step forward in promoting alternate modes of transportation, reducing congestion, and easing the demand for parking.”

The department’s former name of UAB Parking and Transportation Services heavily focused on parking, only one component of an urban campus transportation program. Davis said he views their new name, UAB Transportation, as a full picture of what they are focusing on: parking, transit, alternative commuting, ridesharing, etc.

Brian Atkinson, TDM Program Manager, says encouraging employees to participate in programs such as CommuteSmart, introducing the car-sharing program ZipCar, and launching BlazeRide are all part of the department’s five-year plan.

“As a service organization, we are focused on providing the best customer support we can, while also providing as many options as we can,” Atkinson said. “These options give employees and students choices in how they get to, from, and around campus, while also being kinder to our campus environment.”

Learn more about UAB Transportation at uab.edu/transportation, and follow the department on Facebook and Twitter.