This article by Claudia Cepeda originally appeared in the July 2022 issue of Parking Magazine.
Overview
The West Deck parking garage at Penn State University (PSU) was built for the future and is the first major structure to support the planned expansion of the College of Engineering. Located in the center of PSU’s West Campus, the six-level, 540,000-square-foot garage includes 1,653 parking spaces.
Modern Amenities
Several elements to encourage multimodal transportation are incorporated into the West Deck garage. This includes the Bike Den, a community-building, nine-bench bike repair shop and a dedicated bike parking zone located on the first level of the garage. The area also has storage for up to 100 bikes. One side of the garage features a cantilevered cover for a new campus bus stop to enable garage patrons to easily access a park-andride option. A total of 28 ADA-accessible parking spaces and five EV charging plugs are located on the first level. Thirteen additional spaces have been prepared for future installation of EV plugs.
High-Tech Systems
An LPR system grants access and egress for permit holders, reducing the wait time for drivers to enter and exit the garage. The garage also includes a parking guidance system that senses the availability of each parking space in the deck. It directs real-time data to patrons using a color-coded system of LED lights above each space.
Helix Design for Space
PSU’s West Deck garage is a double-helix design and is partially underground to maximize site conditions and increase the number of parking spaces. The façade of the structure is red brick with tan/white aluminum fins to match other structures on the campus. The garage’s roof canopy was designed for the installation of solar panels in the future. The Bike Den, solar panels, EV charging stations, and guidance system serve as the core sustainability elements.
