Jan. 18, 2023
Transportation and Parking (TAP) welcomes returning and new students to campus. The spring 2023 semester officially begins Jan. 23. Each semester brings changes when it comes to campus parking. TAP has been hard at work on new programs and upgrades to make parking as smooth as possible for students. Here are tips to help you prepare for your arrival on campus next week.
Arrive early
Parking spaces are in the highest demand Monday through Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is wise to arrive at least 30 minutes early to give yourself enough time to park, especially during the first few weeks of the new semester. Lot 25, Plains Road is our largest commuter lot and provides ample parking with frequent shuttle service (every 8 to 12 minutes). Shuttles can be tracked in real-time here.
Order your parking permit
All students, staff, and faculty need a permit to park their vehicles on URI campuses. URI uses a virtual parking system that uses license plate recognition technology to connect license plates to parking permits. These parking permits can be purchased online through the Parking Portal. Be sure your vehicle information is accurate. This is important because your license plate is your permit.
Park only in lots designated for your permit
All commuter parking areas require a valid parking permit or day pass and allow parking only in designated commuter lots/areas. Any vehicle with a commuter or permit/pass parked in a staff, visitor or resident student lot is subject to ticketing. All resident parking areas require a valid parking permit at all times (24/7) and allow parking only in designated resident lots/areas. Any vehicle with a resident permit/pass parked in a staff, visitor or commuter student lot is subject to ticketing.
Before parking your vehicle, check the lot entrance signs. Each lot has one or more entrance signs that provide information on the type(s) of permit(s) authorized in that lot. In addition, individual spaces or sections within the lots may be designated for a specific permit type. These spaces may be used only by those with the required permit type.
Know before you go
Refer to the Kingston Campus Parking Map, which highlights all designated areas. Stay up to date on transportation and parking updates by visiting the TAP website.
Please also follow TAP on social media for important announcements and updates:
@URI Transportation and Parking
Not sure what parking option works for you
To accommodate commuter students who do not know what parking options work best for their schedules, commuters will be allowed to park in Plains Road Lot 25 ONLY without a permit Monday, Jan. 23, through Sunday, Jan. 29. Starting Monday, Jan. 30, all vehicles on campus will be required to have a permit at all times. Vehicles found parked without a permit/pass will be subject to receiving a ticket starting Jan. 30. Shuttles can be tracked in real-time here.
Look for metered parking locations
If you do not have a parking permit, you can easily pay for hourly parking through the Aims Mobile Pay (AMP) app. First-time users will need to register. Once you find a parking space in an AMP lot, log into the AMP app and enter the location for the lot or parking space, vehicle information, the time needed, and payment method, and you are on your way. It is as simple as that! You will receive a reminder when your parking is about to expire and may add more time if needed, all without having to walk to your vehicle.
Consider other ways to get to campus
Save time on finding parking by riding a Rhode Island Public Transit Authority bus or carpooling. All enrolled students are eligible to purchase 50% discounted RIPTA Wave passes, available at the Campus Store, in the lower level of the Memorial Union.
Snow Emergency Guidelines
During snowstorms or snow parking bans, only resident permit holders are allowed to park in their designated lots.This includes weekends and holidays. Due to the difficulty of removing snow around vehicles, only the service drives and parking lot aisles are plowed in resident student lots. Each permit holder is responsible for clearing snow from around their vehicle. Transportation and Parking Services staff cannot shovel out any vehicles.
It may be necessary for resident students to move their cars to facilitate snow removal. This notification will be made through the Resident Director on duty who sends out information via e-mail to resident students. The content of the e-mail is developed by Facilities Operations. Resident students will be asked to move their cars temporarily while resident lots are cleared. Instructions and timelines will be provided via the methods outlined above.
During the winter, Transportation and Parking advise ALL permit holders to have scrapers and shovels in their vehicles to assist in moving from one lot to another and back again when the lot is cleared.
Rhody Safe Rides
Rhody Safe Rides will resume operations for the spring semester beginning Sunday, Jan. 22, at 6 p.m. This on-demand, ride-sharing service is available from Monday through Friday, 8 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, 6 p.m. to midnight, and Sunday, 6 p.m. to Monday at 1 a.m. on the Kingston Campus, Emporium and to/from the Kingston Train Station. Download the TransLoc app to request an on-demand ride. If you need a Rhody Safe Ride outside of these hours on the Kingston Campus, please contact: 401.874.SAFE.