Earlier this fall, UCLA Transportation received the 2019 Innovative Organization of the Year Award from the National Parking Association (NPA). The parking industry’s highest honor, NPA’s prestigious Innovation Awards recognize best practices, innovation, and leadership in different categories. The department was recognized for its innovative solutions to meet the diverse parking and mobility needs of the UCLA campus.
The Innovative Organization Award recipient must demonstrate cutting edge expertise, smart city innovation, and advancement of technology in the parking industry. UCLA Transportation was honored for the ability to effectively manage a growing campus population of close to 90,000 with limited parking.
Providing sustainable transportation options and offering benefits and incentives for green commuters led to the lowest employee drive-alone rate yet at UCLA of 48.9 percent — far less than LA County’s rate of 76 percent. Innovative solutions to boost transit ridership and bicycling like the Bruin Commuter Transit Benefit program and Earn-A-Bike program, as well as discounted carpool parking permits and a vanpool program serving 80 communities, help meet the diverse needs of campus commuters.
Accomplishments such as the launch of an online trip planning tool and the introduction of the new Bruin ePermit virtual parking permit system further demonstrated organizational innovation.
NPA President Christine Banning said, "Among their public and private parking peers, UCLA Transportation’s endeavors shined brightest."
UCLA Transportation Executive Director Renée Fortier said, "We've deliberately shifted away from simply providing parking access to the campus, to investing in sustainable transportation choices for faculty, staff, and students. Because of these efforts, UCLA has become an example of how to address serious traffic and air quality issues, while providing convenient and affordable commute options.”
