Delivery truck drivers have hit a roadblock on Ohio University's campus as officials look to curb traffic on residential greens.
OU is more actively enforcing a rule created in January 2009 which requires delivery drivers and other service vehicles to either park exclusively at loading docks and unmarked curbs, or pay up to $900 for a permit that allows them more freedom on the residential greens.
After the university widened walkways on West Green, OU officials began noticing increased traffic on the green, such as delivery trucks parking and driving on walkways not meant to withstand the weight of vehicles.
When you look at West Green
it's not a roadway said Judy Piercy, associate director of Residential Housing. The infrastructure (of the new walkways) is not made for traffic it's made for walking.
Marty Paulins, OU's director of Transportation and Parking Services, said trucks driving on walkways have been damaging newly-installed bricks on West Green.
Although purchasing a permit will still not allow vendors to drive on walkways or the East Green roadways, which are closed to traffic, it will allow them to park in any lot on campus. These permits can be purchased daily, monthly, quarterly or yearly, according to Parking Services' website.
Money generated from the permits will go into the Parking Auxiliary fund, which pays the cost of parking enforcement and lot maintenance. Parking at loading docks - which are stationed at every dining hall on campus - and unmarked curbs that run behind West and South greens are currently free to vendors.
University officials hope this change in enforcement will help make OU's campus safer and more pedestrian-friendly.
When I was a student here
students were able to walk freely from class ... they didn't have to worry about vehicular traffic
Piercy said. When you have to dodge cars and trucks
that's an environment we don't want.
So far, only UPS has purchased a temporary permit - which expires Oct. 11 - while the company decides if it wants to purchase a permanent permit, Paulins said. FedEx and Pepsi Co., among others, have decided to use the campus' loading docks and unmarked curbs in lieu of buying a permit that would allow them more access, he added.
Even without a permit, delivery drivers should have no problem delivering packages to students on time, Piercy said.
We've made a commitment to try to tighten up (enforcement) because (illegal parking) is getting out of hand
Piercy said. We're weighing convenience (for vendors) against the safety of students. We're here to protect the students and that's where we're going to stand.
A FedEx delivery driver, as well as multiple UPS employees, declined to comment.
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Pamela Engel
