University campuses rely on contractors to complete a variety of projects, from building renovations to technology upgrades. These contractors bring in vehicles that require parking, which presents unique challenges for Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS). Whether contractors are working on short-term or long-term projects, managing their parking efficiently is essential to avoid confusion, reduce administrative workload, and ensure compliance.
The parking challenge
For TAPS, managing contractor parking can be complex. Contractor vehicles change frequently, parking needs vary by project, and companies often require complimentary or validated permits for their workers. The challenge grows when contractors:
- Require parking validation for different vehicles on different days.
- Need access to park across multiple lots on campus.
- Must comply with parking rules using License Plate Recognition (LPR) enforcement.
- Struggle with outdated methods such as physical permits, pay station coupon codes, or promo codes for mobile apps, which are time-consuming for both contractors and TAPS.
These inefficient processes lead to frustration for contractors and administrative burdens for TAPS, slowing down the entire parking management process.
Carl’s Contracting: A use case for Offstreet
Carl’s Contracting was hired for a six-month project on campus, running from January 2025 to June 2025. They were permitted to have up to three vehicles on campus at any given time, and their vehicles needed to be valid in all parking lots.
How Offstreet simplified contractor parking
With Offstreet, Carl’s Contracting was able to streamline parking for its workers with minimal effort. Offstreet’s features allowed contractors to self-manage their parking permits, creating a smoother process for both the contractors and TAPS. Key features included:
- Real-Time Registration: Contractors registered their vehicles upon arrival via a web-based link provided to them in advance. No app downloads or account creation were required, simplifying the process.
- Guest Checkout Flow: Contractors entered their license plate into Offstreet’s system, which issued a virtual permit that integrated seamlessly with the campus’s LPR enforcement software. No need for physical permits or pay station visits.
- API Integrations, Including LPR: The virtual permits were automatically recognized by the campus’s enforcement software, preventing citations and ensuring compliance.
- Customizable Permit Rules: Offstreet’s “Max Active Vehicles” feature ensured that only three vehicles could be parked on campus at any given time, keeping things organized and manageable.
Implementing Offstreet
- Configuration: Offstreet’s team works with the university to configure the platform, upload parking locations, and create registration settings that matched the needs of contractors, projects, etc.
- Integration: Offstreet integrates seamlessly with the university’s existing enforcement software, allowing for smooth operations without the need for additional infrastructure.
- Staff training: Offstreet provides comprehensive training for TAPS staff to ensure they were comfortable managing the new system and supporting contractors.
- Rollout: The solution is rolled out to contractors, allowing them to quickly register vehicles on a per-project basis. A standing link can be created for on-call contracted companies, simplifying parking for future projects.
- Billing: Offstreet generates detailed reports on contractor parking usage, which can then billed back to contracted companies via the university’s billing system.
The results speak for themselves
- Optimized operations: The ability for contractors to self-register their vehicles reduces the administrative workload for TAPS and allows for easier enforcement. This also helps the university save money by reducing human resource costs associated with parking management.
- Improved stakeholder relations: By offering contractors a streamlined, self-service parking experience, the university improves satisfaction for all stakeholders. Contractors can focus on their projects without being bogged down by parking issues, and TAPS can accommodate last-minute requests without hassle.
- Increased compliance: Offstreet makes it easier for contractors to follow parking rules, and the accurate data collected through the platform allows the university to monitor parking activity more effectively. This reduces the risk of misuse, abuse, and fraud.
Simplify contractor parking with Offstreet
Managing contractor parking on campus can be a daunting task, but with Offstreet, the process becomes seamless and efficient. By giving contractors the tools to manage their own parking, universities can optimize operations, improve stakeholder relations, and increase compliance—all while saving time and reducing administrative costs.
If your campus is looking for a better way to handle contractor parking, discover how Offstreet can help.
