4A

The University of Florida has very few places that students who live off campus can park. These few parking places are miles from class rooms and often require waiting on buses. The need for commuter parking has always been a need for students who live off campus. Students dealing with this issue in several ways like arriving extremely early to wait and then ride a bus through campus during traffic then walk the rest of the way to their class. Students will also ride bikes and or skateboards through the heat and rain to get to class.  I am 90% sure this opportunity exists for there to be more open commuter parking spaces closer to campus/class rooms.

Prototypical customer 1: A 23 year old female who is a senior at the University of

How long have you been struggling to find a parking space in the commuter lots?

Ever since my first year at UF I have bought the 80$ parking pass each semester and parked at the “park and ride lot”.

How many times a week do you park in a commuter lot?

This semester it is only Monday, Wednesday and Friday but my last semester it was Monday through Friday.

How do you deal with struggling with parking in the commuter lot?

I figured out that I need to arrive about 40 mins early to allow for enough time to drive around and find a spot. I then wait on the bus to take me to the Hub which is the closest stop to my building.

How satisfied are you with the solution of opening up more parking spots closer to campus for off campus commuters?

My freshman and sophomore year I would of loved that idea because I didn’t know many people on campus and was just focused on getting to class. I have friends now that ride the bus so it gives me time to catch up with them and also if I have some last minute homework I can get it done on the bus. So I really don’t mind it now because I have gotten used to the system.

Prototypical customer 2: Professor in the Department of Agriculture at the University of Florida

How long have you been struggling to find a parking space in the commuter lots?

For the last 8 years I have been at the Animal science building and there is very limited amount of parking spaces. There is quite a lot areas to park in the grass or along a dirt road but for some reason unknown to me the University tickets these areas. This forces students and faculty to fight for a place to park. I know some students who just plain give up and will park in the grass and accept the ticket.

How many times a week do you park in a commuter lot?

I am here about 5-6 times week and stay here most of the day.

How do you deal with struggling with parking in the commuter lot?

Well because I get here pretty early in the morning there usually is a couple spots left open. Lately though students have been catching on to this so they will come earlier and just sit in their car until their class starts. I can’t leave and go to lunch because when I get back there will be nowhere to park.

How satisfied are you with the solution of opening up more parking spots closer to campus for off campus commuters?

I would be satisfied with more parking spots in general or less strict parking rules at the animal science building. I have over heard a lot of students complaining about the parking system here at UF so I would imagine anything would help.

Prototypical customer 3. A 18 year old freshman male at the University of Florida from Williston, Florida who lives off campus.

How long have you been struggling to find a parking space in the commuter lots?

Since my first day this semester at UF I struggled to find parking spots. I have always heard it was pretty bad but didn’t realize it was this bad.

How many times a week do you park in a commuter lot?

I have class Monday through Friday in the morning and the afternoon. So sometimes after my morning class I will leave and then have to come back for my afternoon classes.

How do you deal with struggling with parking in the commuter lot?

I have to leave way before my first class in order to get a parking spot. I then get my bike out and ride several miles to get to my class. If it’s raining or something I will wait and take the bus.

How satisfied are you with the solution of opening up more parking spots closer to campus for off campus commuters?

I would love that solution because for me and some of my buddies parking is harder than the classes. Even though we pay for the parking pass it doesn’t guarantee a spot and these parking police don’t mess around.

Reflection:

After interviewing these prototypical customers it seems like they all show similar struggles with parking in commuter lots at the University of Florida. They all have unique ways of adapting in order to make it to get through the day.

Summery:

My original opportunity still exists and the customers I interviewed all at one point or another agreed with my solution. I do believe my new opportunity is more accurate than when I started. From freshman to professor they all agreed that my opportunity would be beneficial. I think customer feedback is crucial to entrepreneurs after all it’s the customer who will determine if your opportunity will pass or fail.