San Diego State University is enhancing its parking operations with a modernized, comprehensive payment solution designed to improve efficiency and user experience. By implementing a platform that streamlines revenue collection for guest parking, service vendors, and events, SDSU is creating a more seamless and adaptable system.
To modernize, the university required a platform capable of streamlining revenue collection for guest parking, service vendors, and events while also providing flexibility to handle diverse parking scenarios. The new solution integrates with enforcement tools, such as license plate recognition (LPR) systems, supports data-driven decision-making, and ensures a user-friendly experience for guests and staff. This initiative reflects the university’s commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and providing a more convenient parking experience for the campus community, and eliminating the reliance on outdated practices.
It was crucial for the solution to integrate seamlessly with enforcement tools like license plate recognition (LPR) systems, support data-driven decision-making, and deliver a user-friendly experience for both guests and staff. Addressing these needs became a top priority as SDSU sought to enhance efficiency and maximize revenue.
Lax adoption of paper permits: The use of paper permits introduced a range of problems. Departments would often purchase these permits in bulk, storing them for future use. However, a lack of tracking and accountability created significant challenges. In some cases, permits purchased over a decade earlier resurfaced, forcing SDSU to issue refunds despite no staff being able to verify the original transaction.
No-citation practices: Departments could arrange no-citation agreements, where specific parking areas were designated as enforcement-free zones for event attendees. While intended to simplify parking for guests, no-citations had several drawbacks:
Manual processes: Paper permits required extensive handling, from production to distribution. Each permit needed to be physically stamped to authenticate it, a task that demanded hours of staff time daily. This process became especially cumbersome for high-volume requests, such as when a department ordered hundreds of permits for a single event. These large orders often required a week or more of preparation time, limiting the department's ability to respond to last-minute requests effectively.
Limited flexibility: The rigidity of the paper-based system made it difficult to accommodate unique department needs or unforeseen circumstances. Departments hosting events frequently requested tailored parking arrangements, but the manual system left little room for customization. Similarly, last-minute requests for permits often created bottlenecks, as physical permits had to be processed, stamped, and delivered—a process incompatible with same-day needs.
Cumbersome payment collection: Collecting payments for permits or event parking through traditional methods, such as checks, was another area of inefficiency. Vendors and external clients often delayed payments, creating cash flow issues for SDSU. The inability to process credit card payments directly compounded this challenge, forcing the department to follow up repeatedly for overdue payments.
Streamlined payments
Phased rollout
Enhanced reporting
Enhanced event revenue
Transitioning events like New Student Orientation and Family Weekend to Offstreet generated a significant growth in revenue—far exceeding prior revenues where SDSU barely broke even.
Improved compliance
By phasing out no-citations and requiring digital permits for all vehicles, SDSU reduced unauthorized parking and recaptured lost citation revenue.
Effortless payments
For external clients, SDSU used Offstreet’s payment links as a pseudo-invoicing system, reducing delays and ensuring timely collections.
.png)
Looking to improve your guest parking process and visitor experience? Meet with a team member to see if Offstreet is a good fit for you.
