Timestamps
00:00: Panelist introductions & scope of responsibilities
14:00: YOY parking demand data across the U.S.
17min: Campus status at Stanford, Harvard, and Cornell
24min: What are your current priorities and how have they changed?
37min: What are your focusing on to position the campus for recovery?
52min: Are there silver lining opportunities right now? Recommendations to colleagues?
57min: Q&A
(Panelists' responses to the questions we didn't have time to address live are below!)
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Post-webcast Q&A
Cassie Behm - If you do implement and encourage more daily parking options, are you going to alter your visitor parking prices?
Brian S: That hasn’t been decided yet. We would likely have a daily rate for our commuters and keep visitor parking rates for hourly use as their current levels.
Bridgette B: We haven’t decided however, I would agree with Brian’s approach however visitors also have daily options on our campus. In our phasing approach - inviting visitors onto campus will occur later in the process.
John N: Visitor rates will likely stay the same and we would equate our staff rate similar to the monthly rate divided by 30.
Todd Dorsey - "Hi. I'd love to hear from the panel on what their leaders are saying about the return of students in the fall and what they feel campus life will look like later this year."
Brian S: At Stanford, that decision has yet to be made. It will be at least June before there is a determination about fall quarter.
Bridgette B: We hope to know in June. Conversations surround how to house - singles vs. double/triples, what combination of in-person/virtual instruction - unlikely to see large lecture halls filled, do all students come back at the same time, etc.
John N: So would I Todd ! ;...) As I stated on the call, Harvard will follow the science. Where data is changing literally by the day, and not always for the better, I think the timeframe of end of June seems right. There is certainly pressure from many people to decide soon, however there is everything to be gained by waiting a bit to render an informed decision to the best extent possible.
Heather Matthews - How will your organization handle those employees with a high-risk or over 60?
John N: Heather on my call I mentioned, Dr. Joe Allen speaks about the “Hierarchy of Controls” for building occupancy with risk reduction. It is used by OSHA and NIOSH in relation to hazardous chemicals and he sees a similar application with Covid-19. I see us going about a similar process with reopening buildings for people both over and under the age of sixty. https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2020/04/looking-at-covid-19-through-healthy-building-eyes/
Heather Matthews - In a city like Boston, how will your employees even get to work? With social distancing and the amount of exposure on public transit, will you have to allow more remote work?
Brian S: One option under consideration is having the most vulnerable employees continue to work remotely.
John N: Yes, I agree with Brian. One of the learning lessons through this pandemic is we have the tools to work remotely and we will add tools to our “toolbox”, such as hands free parking, that will enhance social distancing. Additional PPE, applied enhanced physical and building procedures, improved cleaning procedures, employees staying home if they're sick, temperature testing to keep people “more” safe. etc. Transit will have to see a quota system for passengers per bus or train, requirements for masks to board and regular deep cleaning of buses, trains and stations. Understand that there will be additional risk involved. Nothing is totally “risk free” for everyone.
Michael Rescigno - Post Covid 19 has the potential to give a rebirth to the single occupancy workers, as transit companies struggle with such large losses of revenues the ability to add or amend services will be impacted. Are there any new TDM programs you think may come from this?
Brian S: Moving to daily parking charges and daily TDM incentives will be needed. Folks will likely not commute to work everyday and will continue working remotely. The old monthly permit will not be sufficient under those conditions. Until there is a vaccine, people will be reluctant to use communal modes such as transit, vanpools and carpools. Incentivizing household carpools may be a good option during the pre-vaccine recovery period.
John N: We currently have significant incentives for household carpools so for us I don’t expect much change with that mode; however as Brian states the more flexibility we can give commuters to easier move between various travel modes that allows them to stay reasonably close to what they paid pre Covid-19 will be our goal.
John Shaheen - Brian, what do you mean when you say your pay stations are "optional" to use?
Brian S: We haven’t turned them off since we can’t be on campus. But we are not conducting enforcement for paid parking. Our commuter parking areas are also available to use for anyone at no charge for now.
John Shaheen - All, do you expect a major shift in commute patterns of employees who are more apt to continue to teach and work from home? That is a change in commute patterns post COVID?
Brian S: yes. Commuters who can will likely continue to work remotely until there is a vaccine. Our public health orders require mask use and limited populations on transit, in offices and other locations. This may make coming into the office less than desirable than continuing to work remotely.
John N: Absolutely. We will see only “Essential Workers” coming to campus for at least 9 to 12 months. In addition, people who can work remotely will continue for a similar period or until a treatment becomes available to reduce the death rate down to something similar to the flu.
Casey Jones - Thank you John, Bridgette, Brian and Wen. Stay safe friends.
Brian S: Appreciate the thanks Casey! Always great to hear from you.
John N: Thanks Casey! Hope all is well with you and your family. I enjoyed your recent webinar as well! Best, John
Bridgette B: Same to you Casey. I hope you are well.