Analysis, Evaluation, and Projection of the Operation of a University School Parking Lot, Chihuahua, Mexico

Abstract

Vehicular transportation systems comprise three key components: vehicles, roads, and parking facilities. Parking lots’ performance and operation must be continuously assessed to avoid saturation. Due to its current overcrowding, the student parking lot at the Autonomous University of Chihuahua’s Engineering Department is the focus of this work. Tuesdays are the busiest day of the week, with 77% of students using their own cars, according to traffic volume data collected over a ten-day period. Additionally, a 3% annual growth rate for the student population was assumed. Based on these numbers, it was inferred that the current parking lot will soon be insufficient. To address this issue, a parking area expansion is deemed necessary, with the most feasible solution being the construction of a vertical parking structure to minimize the demand for additional horizontal space. The type of structure to be developed can be made of steel, concrete, or a hybrid combination of materials. In addition to expanding capacity, immediate attention is required to repave the existing lot and implement improved signaling to enhance traffic education and ensure the efficient operation of the facilities.