After an extensive campus community outreach process this year, UO Transportation Services will launch a new zonal parking system for the upcoming academic year.

Building on the UO’s new virtual parking permit system, which relies on license plate recognition and eliminates physical plastic hangtags, the zonal parking system is designed to more effectively balance on-campus parking supply and demand, while offering more price options to permit holders.

All parking lots on campus will be grouped into zones created based on historical parking patterns. Lower cost permits for the areas outside the core of campus will incentivize their use, which will help reduce competition and lengthy searches for parking spaces in higher-demand areas.

The zonal parking system is designed to:

• Increase the probability of finding a parking space on campus where you choose to park throughout the day.
• Offer different price tiers that allow campus community members more parking options.
• Reduce vehicle congestion in the core of campus, making it safer for pedestrians and aligning with the Campus Plan.
• Make better use of existing campus parking capacity by expanding lot use.

“We are excited for this upcoming change, as we recognized the need to create a more reliable parking system with more pricing options for faculty, staff, students and campus visitors to choose from,” Transportation Services director David Reesor said. 

Rates for the new zonal parking system have not yet been finalized. Final rates are pending the conclusion of the special fees and fines review process, which includes a public comment period, currently underway through June 4. 

The new system was launched following an outreach campaign that involved a survey sent to more than 6,300 permit holders, as well as presentations to hundreds of employees and focus groups with more than 70 parking stakeholders since the start of the year.

Current permit holders should be aware of three key changes:

• In order to set up the system for the start of fall term, when primarily in-person classes are set to resume, zonal parking permits for fall term will go on sale beginning Aug. 1 for all current permit holders. Permits will then be opened up to all others starting Aug. 8. Transportation Services will work closely with existing permit holders to ensure any remaining duration of their existing permits are credited toward their new zonal parking permit.
• The new system will use the UO’s virtual parking permit system, which was launched this spring. A variety of permits — daily, monthly and for the whole academic term — can be purchased online from home, the office or a mobile device. Getting a hangtag or traveling to the Transportation Services office to pick up a paper permit is no longer necessary.
• Because establishing an effective zonal system requires some flexibility to manage permit supply and demand in each zone, full-year parking permits (nine- and 12-month options) will no longer be available. Permits will continue to be sold for full academic terms, as well as in monthly and daily increments. That will allow Transportation Services to more easily make small zone boundary adjustments, when needed, to ensure a better experience for permit holders.  

Visit the Transportation Services website to find frequently asked questions, more information about the zones and the lots each zone provides access to, maps, and permit pricing options.

The department will provide updates and additional details about the launch of the new system over the summer.