Frequently Asked Questions
Why are we changing parking practices? Was there a need to change?
Due to the significant growth in our patient volume and ongoing construction, the number of employees, vendors, contractors, and student learners have all increased accordingly, causing parking issues on our campuses. The goal of these changes is to provide parking access for all individuals who need it, understanding that decisions will be made to prioritize the closest parking for those who need it most, our patients and their families.
Do you have a security presence for those parking at Lambert Street?
The safety of our employees, students and patients at USA Health is a priority, so we have taken numerous measures to ensure you have a safe commute to your destination including:
- New high fencing around the entire lot
- Increased security personnel
- Two (2) additional shuttles
- Twenty (20) new overhead lights to supplement current lighting from Alabama Power
- Ten (10) temporary lights (with plans to install permanent ones)
- Emergency blue call lights on order
- Additional cameras
When did the changes go into effect?
The changes went into effect Feb. 1, 2023. Enforcement began May 15, 2023.
Can employees park in visitors’ spaces if available?
Employees, providers and students are not allowed to park in any visitor, patient or emergency-vehicle designated parking space at any time while on duty at USA Health. Duty is defined as being compensated or receiving educational credit for time at the hospital or patient-care campus.
Where can employees park?
Maps can be found at usahealthsystem.com/parking.
What are the fines for parking in the wrong location?
- First Offense: Warning issued for parking violation.
- Second Offense: Car will be booted and unlocked with payment of a $25.00 fine.
- Third Offense: Car will be booted and unlocked with payment of a $50.00 fine. Employee receives written warning.
- Fourth Offense: Car will be towed with retrieval fee paid by the car owner. Employee receives final warning.
- Further Offenses: Car will be towed, and employee will be separated from employment.
If my car is booted, how can I get it removed? If it's towed, how do I get it back?
When a car is booted, a ticket with instructions will be placed on the windshield. Please go to the security department at Children's & Women's Hospital or University Hospital to fill out the payroll deduction form, and they will remove the boot. If your car has been towed, please go to the security department to receive information on picking it up. If you are unable to come to the security department in person, please call 251-415-8581.
What are the hours of the shuttle, and what are the routes?
Children’s & Women’s Campus Route (M-F, 5:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; weekends, 5:30 a.m.-8 p.m.)
Including Children’s & Women’s Hospital and the Strada Patient Care Center
Route: Lambert Street parking lot to St. Stephens Road, St. Stephens to Cox Street, Cox to the Children's & Women's Hospital rear employee entrance for drop-off and pick-up. Rear employee entrance to Cox Street, Cox to Center Street, Center to the top east-side parking lot of the Strada Patient Care Center, top east-side parking lot to Center Street, Center to Lambert Street, and back to the Lambert Street parking lot.
University Hospital Campus Route (M-F, 5:30 a.m.-8 p.m.)
Accommodating medical and nursing students parking at the Lambert Street lot
Route: Lambert Street parking lot to St. Stephens Road, St. Stephens to Pleasant Avenue, Pleasant to Stanton Road, Stanton to Forensic Drive, Forensic to the University Hospital Building D outpatient entrance. Please expect 10 minutes for travel and five minutes for drop-off. One shuttle will be staged at the University Hospital campus during downtime and ready for transport.
What if I need a ride outside the scheduled shuttle times?
Students and employees can contact security at 251-415-8581 or stop by the security office when they need the shuttle service or would like an escort to/from their parking space.
There seem to be more visitors' spaces since the new policy went into effect. Why?
The goal of the new parking policy was to provide easily accessible parking spaces for our patients and visitors as part of our patient-centered approach to healthcare. The committee continues to meet weekly to evaluate parking needs and make adjustments as needed, including reallocating unused spaces.
Do we have enough handicapped parking for employees? Can we park in visitors' handicapped parking?
Each facility has designated handicapped parking spaces for employees, as shown on the maps. The parking committee continues to evaluate the parking needs for all employees and will make adjustments as needed. Handicapped parking for visitors is not an approved area for employees.
Where do we place the decal on our vehicle?
Place the decal at the top of the right (passenger) side of your windshield.
What if I get a new vehicle or have a rental car?
All new vehicles must be registered as soon as possible. If you have a rental car, please bring proof of
rental to the security department at Children's & Women's Hospital or University
Hospital to receive a parking pass.
What if we are visiting a hospital or clinic as a patient/visitor?
If you receive a citation for parking in a patient/visitor parking when you are not on the clock and/or during a scheduled appointment, please send proof of your appointment to parking@health.southalabama.edu to have your ticket appealed.