Birmingham has recently decided to change the system of a parking structure. There is, as of last summer, an automated system that offers new advancements including easier and faster ways to get in and out of the structure. But what happens when the system becomes too complicated for users to understand?
Recent modifications of the parking structures offer reduced waiting time due to their advanced technology.
There are many pros to this new system including reduced operating costs, various ways to pay the parking fee, and security improvements.
Despite these obvious benefits, there have also been some complaints that the system is far too complicated and makes things much more complex than they need to be.
The new structures were set up last summer, and the complaints came soon after.
“There were complaints about the structure towards the end of last summer but as people have gotten more used to them the complaints have stopped,” Brendan Cousino, Assistant City Engineer for Birmingham, said.
The complaints varied from confusing new payment approaches to irritating exit lines, but one particular situation seemed to be the major issue.
“The primary complaint was about wait times when users were not familiar with new equipment, which would back up traffic,” Cousino said.
Cousino added that there are many differences between the old parking structure and the automated parking structure.
“At the three exists there are no full time chasers,” Cousino said. “They are reducing costs for operating the parking structures by $200,000 this year alone.”
The new system has proven to fail when large sums of people are in town. This particularly happens when a popular movie has just come out. Excessive amounts of cars pile up in the parking structure and when it is time to leave, the exit line is very long.
“After the premiere of The Last Song, the parking structure was completely full,” sophomore Morgan Morton said.
As she and her friends tried to maneuver their way towards the exit line they could tell people were getting agitated. Drivers were trying to cut people off in order to get in the front of the exit line. Some even resorted to using their horns.
“Eventually one of the workers came out and just let people get out for free because it was just taking way too long,” Morton said.
Others have also experienced difficult situations while in the automated parking structures.
“When I first used the new parking structure I didn’t really know how to leave,” sophomore Sterling Johnson said. “I ended up being stuck in there for like twenty minutes.”
The new system offers more payment options, allowing people to use credit and debit cards. People also have the option of paying at one of the stations located in the stairwells and exits of the garage.
Businesses surrounding the structure say that the structure has not affected their establishments.
“I think it’s still easy to get a little confused on how the tickets go in,” Marc Secontine, Varsity Shop Manager, said. “But no, I don’t think it has affected business.”
In addition to the reduced amount of money being spent, the structures are also handicap accessible with elevators. Other user-friendly perks are the first two hours of free parking and free parking all day on Sunday
The pros and cons are both evident in the automated parking structure but one thing is for sure: with today’s struggling economy, saving money is an excellent feature.
