Parking Services

Service Vehicle Policy

Background and Discussion

Unauthorized and non-essential use of service stalls results in the lack of availability for authorized vehicles. This increases the frequency of off-road vehicle operation and other parking violations.

Designating an adequate number of service stalls in appropriate locations is the second priority (handicapped parking being first priority) of all possible designated uses for the limited number of parking spaces available campus-wide.

Effective utilization of the available service stall spaces will result in minimal occurrences where all service stalls in an area will be taken. Conversion of additional parking spaces to service stalls is accomplished through Parking Services monitoring the utilization of these spaces and communicating with users of service stalls.

Off-road vehicle operation creates safety hazards for pedestrians, accessibility issues, accelerates the deterioration of sidewalks, and damages lawn and landscaped areas.

It is recognized that restricting the use of designated service stalls and the off-road operation of vehicles by university employees will result in increased time and labor costs related to maintenance and construction. These increased costs must be balanced by increased safety and the labor and material cost savings for restoring sidewalks and grounds, and will contribute to improved campus aesthetics. Employees and contractors must use sound personal judgment in distinguishing between essential uses of service stalls and employee convenience.

Policy

Off-road Operation of Motor Vehicles

(Policy does not cover golf cart type vehicles, Kubotas, etc. See Utility Vehicle Training). Off-road operation of vehicles is prohibited at all times, with the following exceptions:

Grounds vehicles involved in grounds maintenance, including lighting and amenities.
Service vehicles when off-road operation/parking is essential to the performance of maintenance or construction functions and is approved ahead of time by Parking Services.
Emergency vehicles.
When warranted in association with events. Such determination will be made by University Police and/or Parking Services based upon the specifics of the event and the conditions existing at the time of the event.
Vehicle Occupancy
- Pick-ups and flatbed trucks
  - Maximum 3 people per cab
  - Maximum 3 people in bed of truck
    - Seated in truck bed with back against cab; looking to the rear of the truck
    - Not riding on cargo
    - Driver must drive below posted speed limits when occupants are in the back of the truck
    - Enforced when driving on campus roads, sidewalks, grass, and when crossing city streets and using city streets to connect to campus roadways.
  - Delivery Vehicle Occupancy
    - Maximum 3 people per cab
    - No occupants riding with cargo or in cargo area

Special Note Public Roadway Vehicle Use: Use of other campus vehicles and grounds vehicles on public, city, and state roadways must follow state seatbelt and passenger seating laws.

All drivers of vehicles being operated in off-road areas not in compliance with this policy are subject to the issuance of citations by University Police or Parking Services.

Parking of service vehicles on sidewalks or other pedestrian routes to perform maintenance activities is prohibited unless prior approval from Parking Services is received. When approved, orange traffic cones must be placed at the front and rear of the vehicle. Placement of the cones shall be such that visually impaired pedestrians will be directed, by tactile perception, around the vehicle and any equipment or supplies that may be protruding from the vehicle. This requirement does not apply to emergency vehicles.

Vehicles with Service permits that are not being used to perform maintenance or construction-related activities are never authorized to be parked on sidewalks or other pedestrian routes.

Any personal vehicles used by maintenance staff for service work on campus must display a valid Staff permit and will be allowed up to 30 minutes in service stalls.

Vehicles in non-compliance may be ticketed or towed.

Use of Service Stalls

Use of service stalls is restricted to:

Emergency vehicles.
Service vehicles, as defined.
Vehicles registered to a valid Service Vehicle Permit.
Vehicles registered to a valid Staff parking permit, for up to 30 minutes for purposes of loading/delivery.

If all service stalls in an area are occupied, it is the responsibility of the vehicle operator to find alternative parking. Service vehicles may also be parked in regular parking stalls, but must avoid other areas with signage such as meters or reserved stalls. Supervisors may not instruct employees to park in violation of this use policy, and statements indicating that an operator was instructed to park in violation of this policy by their supervisor may not be considered as a basis for the appeal of any citation issued.

When a maintenance or construction project requires vehicle access to off-road areas or temporary designation of additional parking for service vehicles, arrangements may be made by contacting Parking Services prior to the project.

Vehicles in non-compliance may be ticketed or towed.

Fines and Penalties

Vehicles registered to Staff permits parked in service stalls for longer than the thirty (30) minute time limit will be cited for Overtime / Expired Time Limit. If the vehicle is moved and the violation is repeated, it will be considered a separate occurrence.

All vehicles not in compliance with this policy that are found parked in service stalls/areas or off-road areas will be cited for Parking in a Restricted Area or Not A Parking Stall. Payment of citations issued to private vehicles is the responsibility of the vehicle’s registered owner.

Parking in a Restricted Area or Not A Parking Stall citations that remain unpaid after fourteen (14) days will have a late fee added and are subject to normal citation collection processing. This consists of an administrative fee on citations unpaid after approximately forty-six (46) days from the date of issuance, and referral to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for vehicle registration suspension and an additional DOT fee if unpaid after approximately seventy-eight (78) days from the date of issuance.

Appeal of Parking Citations

Citations under this policy may be appealed online through the Parking Portal. The appeal will abide by the standard Appeal Policy and must address the circumstances by which the vehicle was not in violation of the Service Vehicle policy.

Definitions

The following definitions are applied:

Essential Use - A condition in which performance of the maintenance or construction task currently occurring requires specific placement of a vehicle for the delivery of bulky or heavy (in excess of 30 pounds) tools, materials or hazardous materials to or from the work site.

Grounds Vehicle - A university-owned vehicle used to perform grounds maintenance, including lighting and amenities.

Off-Road Area - Any area not specifically designated and intended to be used for driving or parking of vehicles. Off-road areas include all university sidewalks regardless of width, all lawns and landscaped areas of campus.

Service - Job related activity which is related to the maintenance of university owned property, or construction on university buildings or grounds, or one that involves the movement of hazardous materials.

Service Stall - A parking stall designated as restricted to use by vehicles with state license plates or registered to a service permit.

Service Vehicle - A vehicle used by a university employee, contractor, contractor's employee, vendor or other service provider in the performance of maintenance of university-owned equipment or buildings, or construction on university property. Specifically excluded are vehicles used by any person performing maintenance or construction which are used for the primary purpose of commuting to the work site, or by others not directly involved in the transportation of construction or maintenance tools, equipment or related supplies. Service vehicles may be identified by "State Owned" license plates or service vehicle permits issued by Parking Services.

Service Permit - A permit issued by Parking Services which identifies a vehicle as authorized to use service stalls. These permits are normally issued to outside contractors and vendors, for such reasons as maintenance on photocopiers and vending machines, or contractors.

Vehicle - Any motor vehicle which is licensed for use on public highways and roads.