Several changes for U-M employee parking permits will take effect with the new permit year, starting July 1. These changes—automated vehicle identification (AVI) device renewal, handicapped permit verification, daily permit purchases and revised permit rates—will be reflected in a newly designed application form.

Current faculty and staff permit holders next week will receive the application forms at their home addresses.

AVI device renewal

Blue and yellow permit holders who have AVI devices and wish to renew their parking options simply will complete the new applications and retain their existing devices. The devices automatically will be programmed for the new permit year.

A limited number of gold parking permits will be issued on a “first application received” basis, except permits for physicians, which will be renewed upon request. Current gold AVI device holders who do not receive gold parking for 2004-05 will be issued new blue AVI devices and must return their gold AVI devices after the current year expires (June 30).

Beginning this year, AVI users will be required to pay for their permits through pre-tax payroll deduction.

“Since parking authorization for the AVI devices is computer programmed, we’ll begin a perpetual payment program for our employees,” says Dave Miller, director of Parking and Transportation Services (PTS). “Once you complete this year’s application and sign the Continuing Payroll Deduction Authorization, you won’t have to complete any more forms or wait in line.

“Next year, you’ll simply receive a postcard that indicates how much your monthly deduction will be for the following permit year. This will be much more convenient for permit holders and will reduce our printing and mailing expenses.”

No new parking areas currently are targeted for AVI activation after the Fletcher and Palmer Drive installations this fall.

Traditional (non-AVI) permit renewal

Permit holders who request a non-AVI blue, yellow or orange hang tag or static cling permit may continue to select from several payment options—pre-tax payroll deduction, check or credit card. This year, traditional permit holders will be able to request 12 payroll deductions, rather than the previous maximum of 11.

Handicap parking

In order to improve service to U-M employees who need handicap parking, drivers who park in handicap spaces in staff/faculty parking areas will be required to display separate U-M handicap decals along with their state-issued handicap permits, as well as U-M color-coded parking permits or AVI devices. The free decals will be available only after PTS verifies the validity of the state handicap permit.

“With the new handicap parking program, we can account for the correct number of handicap parking spaces we need,” Miller says, “thereby maximizing the use of our parking spaces while providing for the needs of people with disabilities.”

Daily permits

The daily blue parking rate for faculty and staff will be $4. Daily parking in AVI areas will be provided via AVI devices, replacing the daily swipe cards and helping reduce wait times at structure entrances and exits. The standard $20 device deposit will be required to obtain a daily AVI device. Parkers with prepaid parking on existing swipe cards can convert them to AVI devices at the PTS office before June 30. Daily scratch-off permits still will be available for use in surface lots.

“We’re going to limit the number of prepaid parks and scratch-off permits to 10 per month,” Miller says. “If someone needs more than 10 in one month, it is more cost-effective to purchase an annual permit.”

Annual permit rates

The 2004-05 monthly pre-tax payroll deduction (and annual rate) for a gold permit will be $87.08 ($1,045), blue $43.58 ($523), yellow $10 ($120) and orange $5 ($60).

Applications may be returned to PTS via campus or U.S. mail. New permit applications for eligible faculty and staff can be obtained from the PTS office after April 21 or by e-mailing PTS at umpark@umich.edu.

Additional information about parking services and the new parking application forms is available at http://www.parking.umich.edu/index.html#041204d or by calling (734) 764-8291.