Colorado State University (CSU) has completed its latest “green” parking initiative as part of its vision to remain “America’s greenest university.” The installation of a sensor-based parking guidance system, from Indect U.S.A., enhances the school’s LEED-certified garage, which also has been designated a Green Garage Demonstrator by the Green Parking Council.
“CSU is committed to sustainability, and the Indect sensor program will make a vital contribution to our efforts to make our campus greener,” said Doug Mayhew, Associate Director of Parking and Transportation Services. “By guiding parkers directly to open spaces, the system minimizes the amount of time spent searching for parking. The program will also dramatically decrease the amount of vehicle exhaust emitted in the structure, and reduce the amount of unnecessary fuel wastage.”
The parking guidance system features the installation of sensors in each of the 645 covered spaces and monitors all 870 spaces in the university’s only parking structure. A space indicator light is installed on a dropper at the front of the parking space offering drivers a clear view of where open spaces can be found and what type of parking is permitted in an individual space.
Different colors indicate each space’s status and user group: green for available, red for occupied, blue for handicapped parking, and purple for electric vehicle charging stations. The lights are clearly visible to drivers when they enter each level so they can quickly determine if a space is available on that floor. A monument style sign is installed at each of the garage entries to advise customers of real time parking availability as they approach the garage.
