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| State Farm safety measures
enhanced |
Hugh
Kellenberger
CRSA / Housing Beat |
Jacque Lenz | The AppalachianNew stop lines have been placed
at State Farm lot to reduce collisions.
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The Appalachian State University Parking
and Traffic Department recently took increased safety measures at
State Farm Parking Lot, commissioning yellow stop-lines and the
word “Stop” to be painted at the lane ends.
State Farm lot, used mainly for freshmen parking,
has been the site of six traffic accidents so far this year, said
Barry D. Sauls, director of the Parking and Traffic Department.
“Based on the number of accidents, the situation
needed to be addressed,” Sauls said. |
Parking
Lot Striking, a company based in Ashe County, handled the striking
for the Parking and Traffic Department. The company is on retainer
with the university, handling any small jobs that pop up around
campus.
“[Parking Lot Striking] is willing to come
over and do smaller jobs,” Sauls said. “Most larger [companies]
want a minimum amount of business, in the $2,000-$3,000 range. [Parking
Lot Striking] will come and do it even if it’s in the $150-$200
range.”
The final cost of the striking was not available
at press time, but was expected to be under $300, Sauls said.
The Parking and Traffic Department handles the
parking lots and any problems with them in a “need-based process,”
Sauls said.
“If there is a particular problem area,
we address it,” he said.
Appalachian State Police requested to have changes
made.
“Most of the people we spoke with did not
realize that it was a through lane,” said University Police
Chief Gunther Doerr.
“It’s a good idea to have [the lines]
out there,” said Aaron G. Price, a freshman undeclared major
from Columbia, S.C. “I am a defensive driver and always stop,
but for some people that don’t [stop] it’s a good thing.”
A long-term goal for the Parking and Traffic
Department is to add video cameras to the parking lot at State Farm,
Sauls said. Their purpose would be to serve as a deterrent to crime.
The cameras were expected to be added soon, but
because of state budget cuts they will not be installed at this
time.
“We had them out there several years ago,
but with the changes in fiberoptics, the cameras would be much more
successful,” Sauls said.
The Rivers Street Parking Deck has 36 cameras
placed around the structure, Sauls said. |
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