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Micro-Simulation and Design of Traffic Facilities within

Tennessee State University’s Campus

James C. Hardison IIICivil and Architectural Engineering

James E. JonesCivil and Architectural Engineering

Advisor: Dr. Chimba

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Study Objectives

• To examine the common causes to the shortage of parking on TSU’s campus.

• To explore vehicle trends and examine current parking needs within campus.

• To project future parking demand.• To determine Level of Service (LOS) for present

and future.• To determine the best solution for parking issues.

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Discovered Problem

• Insufficient parking in Torrence Hall (Engineering Bldg.) parking lot throughout the day.

• Leaving campus between classes may result in long distance parking upon return.

• Only available parking spots are far away, on residential streets, or illegally parking.

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Overflow Parking

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Illegally Parking

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Possible Solutions

• Parking garage closer to the most used facilities on campus.

• ‘Park and Ride’ area for long term parking vehicles.• Emphasize carpooling and public transportation.• Secure biking route and bike parking around

campus.• Residential parking permits.

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How the Study Parking Data was Obtained

• Took multiple counts of parked vehicles in lots at different periods of the day.

• Sorted data in a spreadsheet by categories (lot location, time of day, day of week, vehicle movement).

• Determined Rate of Turnover and parking needs.

• Designed parking structures and campus commuter alternatives.

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• Nashville’s growth rate was calculated to be 1.308% using P2035 = P2015 (1+r)n

• TSU’s population is projected to grow from 9,432 to 12,232 for 2035.

Growth Rate

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STUDENTS ENROLLED IN EACH COLLEGE

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Rate of Turnover

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Parking Accumulation

Torrence/Holland PAC/Eppse John Merrit & 33rd Queen/Police Station Avon W. (Downtown)050

100150200250300350400450

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Study Data Obtained• 9,432 students, faculty, and staff – 60% Off-Campus (Commuters)

• 7,000 Approximately parking decals • 4,400 available parking spaces throughout campus• 10% Handicap parking • 10,000 Visitor’s parking passes sold a year• Largest parking lots– Torrence (340 Spaces)– PAC/Eppse (415 Spaces)

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Parking Garage Design(Two) 3 Story Garage

• 450 Cars Capacity Behind Performing Arts Center

• 280 Car Capacity in Visitor’s Parking Lot across from airplane.

• Cast-in-Place Concrete Parking garage-Durable and lower long-term costs

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Layout and Dimensions

300’ x 280’

10’

111’

20’

20’ 27’

185 Parking Spaces

185 Parking Spaces

80 Parking Spaces

8’ Long x 9’ wide

11%

Grade

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Visitor’s Parking DimensionsGarage Dimensions- Visitors Lot 63,000ft2

- 10ft High (8ft Overhead Clearance)- Three aisles/2 lanes

Parking Spots Dimensions- 8ft Long x 9ft Wide- 1ft Stall width for vehicles against wall

Ramp Dimensions- Grade 11% (6.27°)

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• Level 1 – 1 Hour parking spots, handicap, hybrid, electric cars, and motorcycles

• Level 2 – Compact and general parking• Level 3 – General Parking (all vehicles)

Vehicle Distribution

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280 ft

300 ft

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Traffic Impact of 35th and Albion St.

BEFORE

AFTER

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280 ft

225 ft

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Traffic Impact of 28th and John Merritt

BEFORE

AFTER

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Parking Garage is a Band Aid Solution?Cons• Growth rate will demand more room for future

vehicles than garage can hold.• Expensive, time consuming, and construction will

create more delays.• Can delete up to 128 current parking spots.Pros• Reduces illegally parked vehicles on streets.• Gives the campus room to expand (Development).• TSU can rent the garage out to bring the university

income.

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Alternative Parking Options

• ‘Park and Ride’ area for long term parking vehicles.

• Incentives for carpooling and public transportation.

• Reduce handicap parking spots.• Promote cycling.

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Summary

Parking Garage Design• 2-Parking garages 84,000ft2 and 63,000ft2

• 3 levels – Fuel efficient and short term parking vehicles on lower level

• Rectangular designed 8’x9’ parking spaces• 1 Ramp for quick level to level delivery• Sheltered area for pedestrians waiting on

shuttles

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Summary

Road Design• Increased campus entry from one lane to two

lanes.• Expand streets leading into the university from

the interstates• Input stop signs at intersections• Created an entrance and channel into campus

to reduce single entrance congestion

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Summary1. Noticed that parking was a problem2. Collected parking and traffic data3. Calculated LOS, accumulation rate, rate of turnover

and growth rates4. Analyzed results5. Exposed parking trends and characteristics6. Designed parking garage and redesigned roads

surrounding university7. Determined parking garage will help but not solve

Problem8. Recommend to fix problem at the source to reduce

amount of long term parked vehicles on campus

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Future Parking Study• Downtown campus parking study.• How street parking affects traffic flow.• Deficiencies the one campus entrance causes.

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Questions and Answers