2025 Annual Conference & Trade Show

Strategic Parking Management: Consolidation and GIS-Driven Solutions for Campus Efficiency

Wednesday, September 24, 9:45 AM, Room: Mt. Pilot

Managing a parking system with over 23,000 spaces across a large, growing university campus is no small feat. In this session, we’ll take a closer look at the unique challenges involved in overseeing a complex parking inventory, ranging from inconsistent data, outdated zone structures, and overlapping permit types to the strain placed on staff during construction and large-scale campus events.  This presentation will explore a forward-thinking approach to simplifying the way parking is managed at UNC-Chapel Hill. Attendees will learn about the importance of cross-department collaboration, particularly with parking enforcement staff who bring valuable on-the-ground insights.  The presentation will also share ways to use GIS in order to give staff the most up-to-date information regarding construction and event parking on campus as well as determining the allocations for parking permits on campus. These GIS-driven solutions not only support better internal decision-making but also pave the way for improved user experiences on campus.  Whether you’re managing a parking program or collaborating with those who do, this session offers practical insight into how any organization can modernize their systems, reduce confusion, and make the most of the space they have.

Learning Objectives

• Identify key challenges in managing a 23,000+ space parking inventory across 60+ campus zones.

• Explain a strategic framework for consolidating parking zones to improve operational efficiency and user experience.

• Describe how GIS tools will be leveraged to streamline parking data management and support future planning efforts.

Landon Coley (UNC- Chapel Hill)

Landon Coley is a Transportation Planner at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he manages the university’s Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Program and supports planning efforts for both transportation and parking. Coley earned his bachelor’s degree in Community and Regional Planning from Appalachian State University and has long held a passion for building more sustainable, connected communities.

Originally from Etowah, NC, just down the road from Asheville, Coley is excited to be back in the mountains for this conference. A lifelong Tar Heel fan, he considers it an honor to serve UNC’s students and staff by improving how they move through campus every day. From childhood dreams of helping shape better places, to today’s work in university mobility, Coley brings both purpose and local pride to his planning work.