TRANSIT, CIRCULATION AND PARKING SUB-ELEMENT

GOAL 1: It is the goal of the University to plan for future motorized and non-motorized traffic circulation systems to ensure the provision of adequate transit, circulation and parking facilities to meet future University needs.

OBJECTIVE 1.1: The University shall facilitate safe and efficient multi-modal access to, from and within the UCF campus.

POLICY 1.1.1:  The University shall not widen any existing campus roadway beyond four lanes, and shall not widen existing two-lane roads within the 1,200 foot loop/campus core. 

 

POLICY 1.1.2: The University shall maintain a minimum level of service of "E for all campus roadways, except when that level of service can only be accomplished by widening that campus roadway beyond four lanes.

   

POLICY 1.1.3: The University shall improve the internal circulation of the University by the four laning of Gemini from Libra Drive to  North Orion Boulevard; and by realigning South Gemini Boulevard in the vicinity of Central Florida Boulevard to eliminate vehicle-pedestrian conflicts. Any impacts to designated environmentally sensitive areas shall be mitigated consistent with Conservation Element policies.

 

POLICY 1.1.4: The University shall control access to Gemini Boulevard and North Orion Boulevard by limiting direct parking and building drive access, encouraging connections between adjacent uses, and attempting to consolidate access points.

 

POLICY 1.1.5: The University shall explore opportunities with Orange and Seminole counties and the Florida Department of Transportation, as appropriate, to ensure that signalization is available when needed to support roadway improvements.

 

POLICY 1.1.6: The University shall protect the restriction of general vehicular access to the campus core, as defined by the 1,200-foot ring of Apollo Circle.

 

POLICY 1.1.7: The University shall continue to minimize campus vehicular and non-vehicular conflicts by continuing to explore opportunities for the siting of additional multi-modal centers, particularly in conjunction with major new parking facilities, such as the one envisioned on the east side of campus.

 

POLICY 1.1.8: The University shall include provisions for bicycle lanes on newly constructed or improved existing campus roadways. Standards for bicycle racks and for their placement on campus are established in Landscape Design Element.

 

POLICY 1.1.9: The University supports the expedited widening of Alafaya Trail (SR 434) north from McCulloch Road to at least Chapman Road in Seminole County.

 

POLICY 1.1.10: As a companion project serving as an interim facility in lieu of Policy 1.1.10, the University supports the four laning of SR 426 south of the Red Bug Road interchange.

 

POLICY 1.1.11::The University supports the development of an east-west collector road from Alafaya Trail (SR 434) west to Dean Road.

   

POLICY 1.1.13: In anticipation of the need for additional roadway capacity by the year 2010, the University shall coordinate with the Florida Department of Transportation, the Orange County and Seminole County Planning Departments, and the Orlando Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to evaluate strategies and improvements to meet the projected need for additional east-west access to the UCF campus. The adopted campus master plan shall be amended as needed to incorporate the results and of this evaluation.

 

POLICY 1.1.14: The University shall coordinate with the Florida Department of Transportation, the Orlando Orange County Expressway Authority, and the Orange County and Seminole County Planning Departments to evaluate strategies and improvements to facilitate traffic near  the southeastern portion of the campus.

 

POLICY 1.1.15: The proposed locations of the proposed traffic circulation improvements are identified in Figure 11-1. The timing and phasing requirements and priorities for additional parking are identified in the Capital Improvements Element.

 

POLICY 1.1.16: The University shall construct a northern connector road based on the needs addressed in the Goals, Objectives and Policies in the Transportation Sub-Element herein. In addition, the road will provide a second access route to McCulloch Road as shown in Figure 11-1.

POLICY 1.1.17: The northern connector road shall be limited to use for bicycles, pedestrians and the University’s public transportation service, except during large sporting events or other special events on campus, during which time the University will permit vehicular traffic on this road.

 

OBJECTIVE 1.2: The University shall provide safe, adequate, accessible and effective campus parking facilities.

POLICY 1.2.1: The University shall provide sufficient campus parking throughout the planning period, maintaining a desired student to parking space ratio.

 

POLICY 1.2.2: The University shall provide an additional 3,000 parking spaces during the planning period. The future location of additional parking is identified in Figure 11-2. The timing and phasing requirements and priorities for additional parking are identified in the Capital Improvements Element.

 

POLICY 1.2.3: The University shall establish and maintain sufficient visitor parking at strategic campus locations.

POLICY 1.2.4: The University shall achieve the desired parking ratio by implementing Transportation Demand Management (TDM) strategies to provide viable parking alternatives, and by working with LYNX to determine the most efficient LASER routings to serve major student housing resources along Alafaya Trail and McCulloch Road.

   

POLICY 1.2.5: The University shall encourage transit usage and emphasize bicycle and pedestrian modes as a means of travel from parking lots to other on-campus destinations.

 

POLICY 1.2.6: The University shall provide parking facilities which maintain effective and energy efficient lighting at all facilities used after dusk and landscaping shall be placed with a strong emphasis on safety and security.

   

POLICY 1.2.7: Replacement parking budgets shall be an integral part of new construction budgets if the new construction displaces existing parking spaces. Funds allocated for replacement parking shall be based on a percentage of the total construction costs.

OBJECTIVE 1.3: The University shall implement measures to improve transit service to, from and within the campus.

POLICY 1.3.1: The University should consider designating and implementing a second campus intermodal transportation terminal in conjunction with the East Garage Complex. The future location of this terminal is identified in Figure 11-2. The timing and phasing requirements and priorities for this terminal are identified in the Capital Improvements Element.

 

POLICY 1.3.2: The University shall work with LYNX to determine a strategy for eliminating the farebox for students on LASER buses.  This strategy may include a system by which students could purchase a pass at the time of registration that would entitle them to unlimited LASER passage for the academic semester.  The University could consider collecting an up-front transportation fee from the students and disbursinge the monies to LYNX in lieu of LYNX collecting fares directly from the students.  Alternatively, or additionally, the University could encourage student government to utilize student government transportation fees for this purpose.  The University should begin discussions with LYNX to determine the strategy as soon as possible after this Plan’s adoption.

 

POLICY 1.3.3: The University, in conjunction with area public transportation systems and organizations, shall expand campus transit service to, from, and within the University.

 

POLICY 1.3.4: The University, in conjunction with area public transportation systems and organizations, shall identify residential concentrations of students as well as transit routes used most by campus patrons and increase transit service on these routes by decreasing bus headways, developing additional new routes, or modifying existing routes.

 

POLICY 1.3.5: The University, in conjunction with area public transportation systems and organizations, shall insure that bicycle racks are provided on transit vehicles serving the University from off-campus locations (both LYNX and LASER buses). Standards for bicycle racks and for their placement on campus are established in the Landscape Design Element.

 

POLICY 1.3.6: The University shall request that LYNX inventory and evaluate the positioning of all transit stop locations both on campus and within the area bounded by Chapman Road to the north, SR 50 to the south, South Tanner Road to the east, and Dean Road to the west. This inventory will include the availability of seating, shelter, lighting, amenities, etc., and shall be made available to students via the University’s website and through the Parking Office.

 

POLICY 1.3.7: The University shall periodically update data regarding all transit, bicycle, and pedestrian services with the student commuter needs survey as outlined elsewhere in this Transportation Element.

OBJECTIVE 1.4: To encourage the use of alternative modes of transportation and reduce dependence on the personal automobile.

POLICY 1.4.1: UCF shall continue active participation in the University/Alafaya Corridor Transportation Association (UACTA) to promote transportation demand management techniques both on campus and in the context area around campus.

 

POLICY 1.4.2: Within three years after plan adoption, the University, in conjunction with UACTA, shall update the survey of the UCF students, faculty, and staff to identify commuter characteristics and travel patterns such as auto ownership, socio-economics, transit usage, parking preference, demographics, mode choice reasoning, origin-destination, etc. Furthermore, the survey will determine what TDM strategies, if implemented, will be most applicable to the students, faculty, and staff.

 

POLICY 1.4.3: Based upon the survey results, the University shall implement, with the assistance of UACTA, TDM strategies identified in the above survey. These strategies shall include, but shall not be limited to:  

• Improved utilization of public or University provided transit services;

• Improved pedestrian and non-vehicular facilities;

• Increasing the number of students living on or within walking/biking distance of campus;

• Academic scheduling modifications; and

• Operational improvements to the on-campus roadway system, such as additional signalization.

Within three years of implementing TDM strategies, the University shall again survey the students, faculty, and staff to determine any shifts in commute patterns. The adopted master plan shall be amended as needed to reflect the results of this survey.

  

POLICY 1.4.4: The University shall explore a high-occupancy vehicle parking incentive program which provides preferential parking treatment for automobiles carrying three or more persons.

 

POLICY 1.4.5: The University shall coordinate with the Orange County and Seminole County Planning Departments to establish campus-wide ridesharing and carpool programs for UCF students, faculty and staff.

 

POLICY 1.4.6: The University shall evaluate the potential uses of distance learning as a technique to reduce the need for students to travel to the University.

 

POLICY 1.4.7: The University will continue to refine class scheduling as a method of mitigating peak-hour traffic conditions and to maximize utilization of existing transportation infrastructure investment.

 

POLICY 1.4.8: The University shall coordinate with the Orange County and Seminole County Planning Departments, as well as LYNX, to evaluate other options and strategies for reducing the dependence on the personal automobile, such as  enhanced transit service from businesses and residences off-campus, and enhanced pedestrian and bicycle facilities. If any of these proves to be economically feasible and practical, the University shall amend the adopted campus master plan as needed to incorporate these strategies into the overall transportation plan.

 

POLICY 1.4.9: The university will coordinate with the Expressway Authority for on-ramp onto East-West Expressway from west-bound Highway 50.

 

POLICY 1.4.10:  The University will support completing an east-west parallel route to reduce congestion on University Boulevard.

OBJECTIVE 1.5: The University shall annually inventory and analyze parking and roadway traffic demand and operating conditions.

POLICY 1.5.1: Parking utilization and parking space ratios shall be annually monitored by the University to determine that adequate parking is being provided.

 

POLICY 1.5.2: The University shall annually collect and monitor traffic data on campus roadways and those roadways within the UCF context area.

 

POLICY 1.5.3: A system for recording accident and safety related data on campus by specific location and incident type shall be maintained by the University. This information shall serve as a basis for identifying improvements necessary to reduce the number of accidents and improve campus safety.

OBJECTIVE 1.6: To ensure the coordination of the University's transportation system improvements with the master plans and transportation improvement programs of UCF, the host community, and affected local governments.

POLICY 1.6.1: The University Master Planning Committee and Office of Facilities Planning, together with appropriate faculty and administration, shall review all campus development plans for compliance with the Master Plan's criteria for parking, circulation, and access as described in the Transportation Element.

 

POLICY 1.6.2: The University shall coordinate with Orange County and Seminole County concerning campus infrastructure development by submitting notice of development for review by the host community, as described in the Intergovernmental Coordination Element policies for reciprocal review.

 

POLICY 1.6.3: The prioritization and timing of on-campus transportation infrastructure improvements shall be concurrent with the construction of campus land uses which impact existing and proposed campus infrastructure. All necessary on-campus roadways and parking facilities required to support the Campus Master Plan development program must be in place and operating with available capacity to accommodate new development impacts without degradation in operations below the minimum levels of service, as defined and adopted by the University.

Table A

UCF Campus Roadway Levels of Service Capacities
Average Daily Traffic

(1) Florida Level of Service Standards and Guidelines Manual, 1998

PEDESTRIAN AND NON-VEHICULAR CIRCULATION SUB-ELEMENT

GOAL 1: To create logical patterns of pedestrian and non-vehicular circulation systems which enhance the overall urban and social-academic quality of the campus.

OBJECTIVE 1.1: To coordinate pedestrian and non-vehicular circulation systems with those to be developed by the host community, Seminole County, and the city of Oviedo, in their local comprehensive plan, bicycle plans or traffic circulation plans.

POLICY 1.1.1: The University shall work with the host community, Seminole County and the city of Oviedo, to coordinate the implementation of sidewalks, bicycle paths and lanes, and safety-enhanced pedestrian crosswalks along all vehicular corridors adjacent or leading into and out of campus.

 

POLICY 1.1.2: The University shall coordinate with Orange and Seminole counties and the Florida Department of Transportation, as appropriate, to ensure that signalization is available when needed to facilitate the movement and safety of pedestrian and non-vehicular traffic.  Any new signals shall be interconnected with adjacent signals where applicable.

OBJECTIVE 1.2: To ensure that future pedestrian and non-vehicular circulation facilities are coordinated with the Campus Safety Plan.

POLICY 1.2.1: The Offices of the Facilities Planning, Physical Plant, Environmental Health & Safety and the Chief of Campus Police and the Parking Services Director shall meet on a regular basis to ensure that provisions concerning pedestrian and non-vehicular circulation facilities are incorporated into the Campus Safety Plan and associated programs.

 

POLICY 1.2.2: The Offices of the Facilities Planning, Physical Plant, Environmental Health & Safety and the Chief of Campus Police and the Parking Services Director shall coordinate the development of programs and procedures to improve the safety of persons using pedestrian and non-vehicular facilities on campus. The adopted campus master plan shall be amended as needed to incorporate these new and revised programs and procedures.

OBJECTIVE 1.3: To coordinate the locations for additional lighting along pedestrian and non-vehicular circulation routes with recommendations contained within the Campus Safety Plan.

POLICY 1.3.1: The University shall include recommendations for type and location of future lighting requirements into the part of the Campus Safety Programs that addresses pedestrian and non-vehicular circulation systems.

 

POLICY 1.3.2: The Director of Facilities Planning, the Chief of Campus Police and the Physical Plant Director shall review all future plans for lighting along proposed pedestrian and non-vehicular systems to ensure compliance with both the Campus Safety Plan and the adopted UCF Architectural Design Guidelines.

 

POLICY 1.3.3: Appropriate lighting systems shall be constructed concurrent with pedestrian and non-vehicular circulation systems.

OBJECTIVE 1.4: To ensure that the future provision of pedestrian and non-vehicular circulation systems will meet the needs of the University and the projected student enrollment.

POLICY 1.4.1: The following order of priorities shall be applied to the future development of pedestrian paths and non-vehicular systems:  

• Priority 1
  Provision of an at-grade, raised and textured pedestrian crossing at Gemini Boulevard and the South Academic Village.

• Priority 2
  Realignment of Gemini Boulevard in the area of Central Florida Boulevard to enhance the safety of pedestrians crossing in front of the Administration Building.

• Priority 3
  The construction of sidewalks and bicycle paths or bicycle lanes along one side of the completed Gemini Boulevard Loop, as well as along North Orion Boulevard.

• Priority 4
  The construction of pedestrian paths connecting buildings, which share academic quadrangles.

• Priority 5
  The construction of sidewalks and bicycle paths or bicycle lanes along all campus entrance roads leading to Gemini Boulevard.

• Priority 6
  The construction of pedestrian paths connecting the South Academic Village, on the southern portion of the campus, to the academic core.

 

POLICY 1.4.2: Pedestrian crosswalks shall be located at all points where pedestrian and other non-vehicular circulation crosses Gemini Boulevard, as well as at all access routes into campus.  These crossings will be evaluated to determine what level of protection (traffic calming measures to pedestrian signalization) should be provided.

 

POLICY 1.4.3: In order to encourage greater pedestrian and non-vehicular activities, students who reside on-campus in housing served by dedicated parking, The University will consider options for parking permits that restrict students  from parking outside of residential parking areas.