Improvements to Tucson campus parking

Parking & Transportation Services are undertaking a comprehensive replacement of the Parking Access and Revenue Control System in multiple parking garages on the Tucson campus this summer and into the fall semester. Beginning May 13, these upgrades include the installation of new gates and payment equipment, as well as license plate recognition cameras at entry and exit lanes.  

Permit holders and visitors will continue to have access to the parking garages during installation. While we strive to minimize disruption to our campus community, please anticipate delays and traffic congestion during road closures and installation periods.  

These upgrades are necessitated by our current system experiencing occasional failures, and being outdated and no longer supported by the manufacturer. The new system will enhance the user experience as well as provide operational efficiencies by streamlining parking procedures for employees, students and other campus visitors. 

Key changes and benefits you can expect: 

• Installation of license plate recognition cameras: LPR cameras will be installed at most entry and exit lanes to read license plates. 
• Permit holder convenience: Annual, academic year and FLEX permit holders with registered license plates will no longer use RFID units in their windows or garage access cards to access their parking garage. The camera will read license plates and grant access to those with valid, registered permits. CatCards will remain a secondary option.  
• Payment options for visitors: Visitors will have multiple payment options. 
  
  • Scanning the QR code on the entry ticket with a smartphone to pay for parking. 
  • Paying at exit gates with a credit card.  
  • Utilizing the payment machines located inside the parking garages.  
• 24/7 operations: Once all the new equipment is installed, parking garage operations and support will transition to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with payment or permit required. 
  
  • Currently, only permit holders are authorized to park overnight in garages without receiving a citation. With this transition, all visitors will be able to remain in the garage and pay for the duration of time parked.
  • Having staff available 24/7 increases our availability to assist customers and provides continuous monitoring of the facilities.

Permit holders will be sent an email in advance with specific dates when installations will occur in their assigned parking garage, along with instructions for returning RFID units and garage access cards.

Below is the tentative order that equipment will be installed in each parking garage. Please note that this order is subject to change. Please check the website for the latest status.

• Cherry Avenue Garage  
• Park Avenue Garage  
• Main Gate Garage 
• Second Street Garage – Temporary road closures expected for northbound Mountain Avenue from the Student Union Circle to Second Street.  
• Tyndall Avenue Garage – Temporary road closure expected on Tyndall Avenue between Fourth Street and northeast exit of the parking garage. 
• Sixth Street Garage – Temporary road closure expected on Lowell Street between Lot 5083 and Lot 5084. Access to both parking lots will be available during closure. 

For assistance during the installations, please contact PTS Dispatch at 520-621-1108.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we work to improve your parking experience on the Tucson campus. 

If you have any questions about this project, email PTS-ParkingInformation@email.arizona.edu.