Off-Street Vehicular Traffic & Parking Policy

I. Scope 

This policy applies to William & Mary’s main, Williamsburg campus. It applies to all operation of motor vehicles, including utility/golf carts, on campus walkways or grounds. It applies to all types of employees as well as contractors and vendors as provided in Section III(C).

II. Purpose 

The purpose of this policy is to improve campus safety, ensure emergency and accessible routes are clear at all times, and eliminate unnecessary wear and damage to campus walkways and grounds caused by the operation of motor vehicles. This policy specifies the circumstances under which a motor vehicle can be operated on campus walkways or grounds, the permissions required prior to doing so, and the rules by which it must be operated when on walkways and grounds.

III. Policy

Motor vehicle traffic generally is restricted to roadways, parking lots, and paved driveways as it is possible to service most buildings and events this way. There are two exceptions to this general rule:

1. Utility/golf carts are permitted on walkways and university grounds, but their use must comply with the rules set forth in this policy. 
2. Operation of motor vehicles, excluding utility/golf carts, is prohibited on walkways and university grounds (property other than roadways, parking lots, and driveways) unless there is clear and valid need to do so. When a clear and valid need exists, motor vehicles are permitted on walkways and university grounds, but their use must comply with the rules set forth in this policy.

• Motor vehicle operation on walkways and university grounds is subject to the following rules: 

1. Motor vehicles, including utility/golf carts, must be parked in such a manner as to allow passage by pedestrian/wheelchair traffic on the walkway. If a clear lane with a minimum width of four (4) feet cannot be achieved by pulling to one side, the vehicle must be relocated to a place where this clearance can be achieved.
2. Doorways, entryways, paths of egress, ramps, and curb cuts as well as the walkways leading to such areas shall not be blocked.
3. During periods of heavy pedestrian traffic such as class changes, motor vehicles, including utility/golf carts, being operated on walkways shall be parked in an approved location and remain until the pedestrian traffic clears.
4. No vehicles, including utility/golf carts, shall be operated or parked on lawns, within mulched areas, in gardens, or under trees. As an exception, the Gardens and Grounds Division is permitted to drive off road only to access work spaces. Grounds vehicles shall be parked on the street/parking lot once they have loaded/unloaded at the work area. Any other unit or outside contractor must have prior approval from the Associate Director of Grounds or the Director of Operations and Maintenance (Facilities Management) to access lawn or garden areas. Particular precautions should be taken to protect the grounds when driving lifts on campus.
5. No motor vehicles, including utility/golf carts, are permitted in the Wren Yard without approval by the Associate Director of Grounds or the Director of Operations and Maintenance (Facilities Management). No vehicles other than utility/golf carts are permitted in the Sunken Garden or areas between the Sunken Garden and the adjacent buildings without permission from the Associate Director of Grounds or the Director of Operations and Maintenance (Facilities Management).
6. When operating a motor vehicle, including utility/golf carts, on campus walks or grounds, the maximum permissible speed is 10 mph. For vehicles such as utility/golf carts without speedometers, the driver shall use prudent judgment to operate within this limit.

Contractors and vendors, regardless of their work, are required to abide by this policy and must gain prior approval from the Associate Director of Grounds or the Director of Operations and Maintenance (Facilities Management) for any deviation from the above standards. Construction, repair and maintenance contractors will be assigned laydown areas and parking areas by Facilities Planning, Design and Construction (FPDC) or the Director of Operations and Maintenance (Facilities Management) in coordination with the Director of Parking Services. These areas will be determined before a job begins. Personal and work vehicles that cannot be accommodated in lay down areas are to be parked either in the Kaplan Arena parking lot or in accordance with the General Conditions outlined in the construction or maintenance contract.

All deliveries for daily in-house services and contractor or vendor services are to be made from loading docks and service drives where available. In the event there is no loading dock, deliveries are to be made from the street side of the building. Contractors and vendors must display an appropriate parking pass from Parking Services that permits parking in a specified location. Once the loading/unloading activity is complete, the vehicle must be moved to an authorized parking space. No vehicle shall be left unattended at a delivery point.

• University departments, contractors and vendors should use the smallest vehicles possible to complete assigned tasks.
• Authorized use of service vehicle parking spaces is highly encouraged to mitigate operation of motor vehicles on campus grounds.

IV. Enforcement

Parking Services and William & Mary Police, with the assistance of Facilities Management, will enforce this policy. Penalties for violating this policy will be assessed according to current university parking regulations. In addition, violators will be charged the cost to repair to any damages to the grounds, walkways and structures.

Violations of this policy by students or employees may also be addressed through applicable disciplinary or conduct processes. 

V. Approval, Amendment & Interpretation

This policy was approved by the Senior Vice President of Administration and Finance. The Associate Vice President of Facilities Management interprets this policy and is directed to review this policy periodically to ensure continued effectiveness.

VI. Related Policies & Other Documents

• Parking Regulations
• Vehicle Use Policy