Jan. 23, 2024

With the spring 2024 semester underway, Transportation and Parking (TAP) would like to welcome returning and new commuter students who are coming to campus. Each semester brings new changes when it comes to campus parking. TAP has been hard at work implementing 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 this spring.

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.

Arrive early

Parking spaces are in the highest demand Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is a good idea to arrive at least 30 minutes early to give yourself enough time to park, especially during the first few weeks of the new semester.

Our newest commuter lot, Lot 31, is a 415-space, covered lot with shuttle bus service every 8 to 12 minutes. Shuttles can be tracked in real-time here. Lots 31 and 25 have a combined total of 2,368 spaces available. Commuters should strongly consider using these lots, which are easily accessible from Route 138 to Plains Road or from Flagg Road to Plains Road.

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 only. Commuters can also park in any student metered lot/space with additional hourly rates. Permits are not valid in metered lots/spaces. Any vehicle parked in a staff, visitor or resident student lot without a permit/pass designated for these lots/areas is subject to ticketing.

Between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m., commuter students are allowed to park in any commuter or staff lot on campus with the exception of resident lots and the following Faculty/Staff lots (which are enforced and require a valid Faculty/Staff permit 24/7): Lot 17 Potter Health Clinic lot; Lot 18 Hillside; lots behind the entire residential complex that include Weldin, Adams, Browning/Eddy, Potter, and behind the Fascitelli Center for Advanced Engineering; and Lot 21 Surge.

All resident parking areas require a valid resident parking permit at all times and are enforced 24/7. At no time can commuters or visitors park in a resident, lot including Lot 22 Brookside or and Lot 20 Flagg Road.

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 sign-up. 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.

Know before you go

Refer to the Campus Parking Map, which highlights all designated areas. Stay up to date on transportation and parking impacts by visiting the TAP website.

Snow Emergency Guidelines

During active snowstorms and snow parking bans, parking on any campus street is not allowed. That includes Flagg Road.  

During the winter weather season, it is advisable that ALL permit holders are signed up and follow the University’s emergency notification systems.

Consider other ways to get to campus

Save time on finding parking by riding a RIPTA 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.

Rhody Safe Rides

Rhody Safe Rides uses a smartphone app for riders to schedule customized curb-to-curb trips. A small environmentally friendly van or shuttle bus will pick up riders and drop them off wherever they wish to travel within the service boundaries. Along the way, the van may pick up other passengers who also request a ride. 

This service is available from Monday through Friday 5:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday and Sunday 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. on the URI Kingston Campus, Emporium and to/from the Kingston Train Station. If you need a Rhody Safe Ride outside of these hours, please contact 401.874.SAFE.

Shuttles

Rhody Shuttle Service is available around campus. All shuttles are ADA accessible and available to visitors, students, faculty, and staff. The shuttles operate Monday through Friday starting at 7:30 a.m. with service about every 8 to 20 minutes. Shuttles do not operate on weekends or holidays. You can track on the shuttles using the Transloc App.