The University of Utah is embarking on a transformative journey aimed at enhancing accessibility on campus with its new Physical Development Framework. This initiative addresses critical elements such as transportation and parking, which are essential for fostering a conducive learning and living environment for students.
The framework envisions a ‘car-lite’ core strategically designed to enhance mobility. This includes implementing better parking locations, improving shuttle routes, and increasing infrastructure for biking and pedestrian access, ultimately making navigation around campus significantly easier.
Collin Simmons, executive director of auxiliary services, highlighted two significant components that the U intends to focus on: frequency and proximity of transport services. “I think the biggest two [things] are frequency and proximity,” Simmons stated. “The more frequent we can have buses, trains and those services coming to campus, the easier it is for students, staff and faculty to get here instead of having an hour in between buses.”
While the specific placement of various transport links such as railroads, roads, and parking garages is still in the planning phase, detailed information regarding the parking arrangements will be disclosed as the project progresses. Simmons emphasized the necessity of integrating the parking plan with the overall physical development process. “The reason is until we understand what the physical development plan will tell us as far as buildings and spaces, you can’t really make the parking plan first or last. It has to be a part of the process,” Simmons explained.
Currently, there is confirmation regarding the construction of a new parking garage on campus, although its exact location remains undecided. Jennifer Reed, associate vice president of Auxiliary Services, elaborated on the planning efforts. “We are working now to determine where the next parking garage that we build will go. We’re hoping to have a decision on that location by the end of June of this year,” Reed noted. “We have already received permission from the legislature to bond for a parking garage, so we’re doing the planning around transportation and mobility hubs.”
The Physical Development Plan aligns with the goals outlined in the university’s Strategy 2030 plan. According to Reed, establishing a comprehensive commuting framework will aid in fulfilling these objectives. “What that framework includes is identifying neighborhoods for different entities on campus, like athletics and academia,” Reed stated. “And the magic piece of that includes a density around housing and student services. There is a dense social communal experience for students and all of the other populations to be able to gather, build relationships, enhance their experience on campus.”
Furthermore, the push for greater accessibility extends to the planning of on-campus housing. Reed emphasized that increasing the number of on-campus housing units could have a favorable effect on parking and commuting. “What we’re hoping is that as we increase the number of beds in college town magic, is the number of cars that we have coming to campus actually goes down because those students that live here and have services here as part of college town magic won’t need a vehicle with the incredible transit access that we have going through our campus to downtown,” Reed concluded.
image source from：https://dailyutahchronicle.com/2025/04/16/physical-development-plan-aims-to-build-a-car-lite-core/
