Understanding user satisfaction with university parking: A grounded theory approach

Urban growth has intensified parking issues in densely populated settings like university campuses, where demand for parking is high. Existing research on parking management often overlooks the unique challenges of urban universities, especially in adopting suitable technologies and strategies. This study explores parking challenges specific to an urban university campus, offering insights that may inform strategies at similar institutions while recognizing the contextual nature of the findings. Structured interviews with 19 participants, each lasting about 25 min, were analyzed using grounded theory and MAXQDA software through a three-stage coding process. Open coding identified three main themes: parking experience, perception of the parking system, and potential solutions. Axial coding then connected these themes to reveal relationships and patterns, which selective coding refined into a coherent theoretical framework. The study found that personal cars are the preferred mode of transportation due to their convenience, highlighting the need for adequate campus parking. Challenges such as limited space availability, long search times, cost-value disparities, and increasing interest in innovative solutions indicate the necessity for a more efficient, tech-driven, and adaptable parking system. Recommendations include flexible pricing and advanced technologies to address immediate issues. Strategic parking placement and promoting alternative transport are proposed as long-term improvements to reduce demand and enhance campus parking experiences. This study provides valuable insights into transportation issues on university campuses and offers a foundation for developing effective, sustainable parking strategies.