Testing the Hypothesis Part 2

Testing the Hypothesis Part 2

            WHO: So far I have not encountered someone who does not have the issue of parking at one point or another in there time here at the University of Florida. While some days you get lucky and find a spot, most often than not there is numerous people just like you waiting for a space either in a scooter lot or parking lot. This would of course not pertain to someone who does not have any vehicle and does not need to buy a decal to park on campus.

           

            WHAT: This need is one that I would say would be considered a bit artificial in comparison to others some may face such as financial aid issues. However, the mass number of people that encounter this ‘bug’ cannot be denied. Overall creating more parking would make the student body happier, as well as protect investments. For some a scooter is their only mode of transportation and scooter parking tends to scratch and break parts of scooter that the owner needs to end up repairing.

            WHY: Very plain and simple ‘outsiders’ are those that do not own a car and therefore have no difficulty finding a parking space whether it be for a car or a scooter. These people may live close to campus or live in an area where busses are constantly running throughout the day.

INTERVIEWS

1.     First, I interviewed an ‘outsider’ who lives walking distance to campus. She stated that she is thankful that she lives so close to campus because she has no form of transportation and that bus stops are farther then walking. However, at times she needs to get places and can’t rely on the busses for their schedule is unreliable. She stated she would buy a scooter but she sees the struggle of finding parking and the traffic congested in the small spaces provided and for that reason she does not purchase one.

2.     Second interview I conducted was of a parking patrol worker for UF. She primarily covers the Library West/ Marston area and says although she does not agree with some of the parking rules, such as the “over the line” rule she must enforce them because it is her job. She states that if more parking were available then she believes she wouldn’t give as many tickets, for most of the tickets she distributes are because people are trying to fit their scooter in small spots.  

3.     Third person I interviewed was an ‘insider’ who parks on Inner Road and states that the strip for scooter parking is very limited and on a one-way street that is shared with cars. The location is convenient but the quantity Is not, on top of the fact that if you don’t find a parking you cannot go back on the street to look to see if you can move scooters (like other lots), because cars and other scooters are coming that against you.

4.     Fourth interview I conducted was a student who rides the bus, and he stated that when he first arrived to UF he wanted to get a scooter so he could get to class faster but have the luxury of sleeping in. Riding the bus was his option until he saved enough to buy a scooter, and he dreaded having to wake up earlier for a class to hope the busses were running on time. Most of his stops being near Library West, he saw the hectic wave of students looking for a parking spot and decided not to a buy a scooter. He claimed that more parking would be a better option.

5.     The last person I conducted an interview with I did not know if they were an ‘insider’ or an ‘outsider’, for I wanted to see what her thoughts were of the parking situation on campus. She claimed that she witnesses numerous students struggling to find parking, going back and forth until they can find a spot or wait for someone to move which is one big guessing-game. Sometimes she even sees scooters laying on the ground because they have been knocked down, and every scooter she’s seen has numerous scratches on it; it’s as if the investment is lost once you think of parking on campus. Her claim of making more scooter parking was a universal one.

INSIDE THE BOUNDARY

            WHO IS IN- Those who have a vehicle on campus

            WHAT THE NEED IS- more space or spots to park

            WHY THE NEED EXISTS- numerous students have bought scooters or have cars on campus to get to class, this surplus has caused less parking to be available.

OUTSIDE THE BOUNDARY

            WHO IS NOT- Those that do not drive to campus

            WHAT THE NEED IS NOT- Not targeted to those taking the bus or walking to campus.

            ALTERNATIVE EXPLANATIONS- Although this is for a certain group of people, the problems enough of them to bring it to someone’s attention and have it solved.