Parking and Traffic Control Procedure - 63.09.06
College Policy Number/Title:
Howard Community College (HCC) parking and traffic control procedures promote pedestrian and vehicular safety on campus and ensure access for emergency vehicles. All students and employees are required to visibly display a current parking hangtag or sticker. The department of public safety issues hangtags or stickers once vehicle information and photo identification are produced by a student or employee. Spaces designated by signs and blue, green, or yellow lines may only be used with the proper hangtags, license plates, stickers, or permits. Blue lines designate accessible parking spaces, green lines designate electric, low emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles and carpool parking, and yellow lines designate staff spaces.
Level 2 charging stations, which are charging stations for electric car batteries, are located on the first floor of the East Garage and second floor of the West Garage and in Lot C. These chargers are for use by HCC students, faculty, and staff at no cost. The operator must use a “ChargePoint” card or mobile phone application. Verification is required using the operator’s HCC email account. Operators should contact the college’s environmental health and safety department in the facilities office for information and assistance.
Charging station spaces are reserved for electric vehicles and are not to be used for general parking. The vehicle must be connected to the charger while in a charging station; charging time is limited to two hours. Stations are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Operators must charge and move the vehicle out of the station upon completion of charging. Charging stations are available from 7:00 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. Violators will be ticketed or towed.
A listing of low emission and high efficiency (LEHE) vehicles is maintained by the U.S. Green Car Council. To apply for the LEHE vehicle sticker, documentation (i.e., vehicle manual) must be submitted to public safety. Public safety will issue stickers for approved vehicles that must be placed on the right rear bumper.
Carpool spaces are reserved for vehicles with at least three occupants and display a valid carpool permit from the environmental health and safety supervisor. Complete parking and traffic regulations are available in the department of public safety.
All vehicle operators are subject to Maryland motor vehicle laws and HCC’s vehicle and traffic regulations while on campus. Any vehicle or operator in violation of these regulations are subject an HCC citation. The vehicle receiving the citation will also be subject to possible removal at the owner’s or operator’s expense. Vehicle and traffic regulations include, but are not limited to, the following:
· pedestrians have the right of way at all times;
· vehicle speed and manner of operations must be conducive to safe operation with consideration of weather and road conditions and pedestrian traffic;
· maximum speed is 20 miles per hour; and
· all traffic laws must be obeyed at all times.
Howard Community College assumes no responsibility for damage to or loss of vehicles or private property while on campus.
Parking
Parking is defined as stationing a vehicle, with or without a driver in attendance, and irrespective of time of day or length of time the vehicle is stationed. The responsibility of finding a legal parking space rests with the motor vehicle operator. Parking regulations include:
- parking regulations are in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week;
- parking is limited to designated parking areas only - lack of space is not considered a valid excuse for violation of these regulations;
- vehicles may be parked only in the areas to which they are assigned and must display the appropriate hangtag permit or dashboard temporary pass indicating authorization;
- vehicles must be parked in such a manner as to use only one parking space; and
- vehicle operators must notify public safety if they need to leave their vehicle in the college’s parking lot overnight. The college is not responsible for theft of or damage to the vehicle or to the contents of the vehicle.
The fact that an operator parks a vehicle in violation of any regulation without receiving a citation does not mean that the applicable regulation is no longer in effect.
Towing Vehicles
Vehicles parked on college property between the hours of 1:00 and 6:00 a.m. without prior authorization from public safety, parked in a marked fire lane, blocking an entrance, or impeding traffic, may be subject to towing at the owner’s expense. Abandoned cars not meeting the above criteria, absent extenuating circumstances, may be towed at the owner’s expense 24 hours after a towing notice has been issued and affixed to the vehicle. Public safety keeps a record of all vehicles towed. Contact information for the tow service provider is prominently displayed on signage posted throughout the campus. This does not necessarily apply to repossessions by a private company or impoundments conducted by the Howard County Police Department.
Citations
Each citation carries a fine of $50, which must be paid to the college cashier's office. Failure to pay violations may result in the vehicle being towed, restricted release of official student transcripts, or loss of college privileges. Employees who fail to pay a citation are subject to appropriate disciplinary action.
Individuals may appeal a citation in writing to HCC’s director of public safety. Appeal forms are available at the department of public safety on the first floor of the RCF building.
Reserving Parking Spaces
Guidelines and forms for reserved parking, including information on reserving one or just a few spaces for visitors, can be found on the HCC portal.
Larger group events and parking reservations must be approved by president's team through the approval process. Once president's team approves the request, the vice president or designee will notify the requestor.
Bicycles/Skateboarding/Rollerblading/Electric and Non-Electric Scooters
Racks are placed in convenient locations throughout campus for all non-licensed, two-wheel vehicles. Students are not permitted to bring bicycles or electric/non-electric scooters into buildings or secure them to lampposts, signposts, fences, or other structures under any circumstances. Staff members are permitted to disassemble the front wheel of the bicycle and secure it in their office. Under no circumstances will bikes or electric/non-electric scooters be left in hallways or stairwells. This policy does not apply to vehicles covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Violators will be subject to confiscation of vehicles and a $50 fine.
Pedestrians have the right of way at all times.
Activities that may harm people or property such as skateboarding, rollerblading, and similar activities are not permitted on campus.
Effective Date: 06/30/22
President's Office Use: VPAF - CAT