Using Prompts and Feedback to Reduce Illegal Parking in a University Parking Lot
A polite windshield note that tells the driver exactly where to park legally cuts illegal parking twice as much as tickets alone.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Clayton et al. (2020) watched one university parking lot for four semesters. They wanted to know if a simple note could make drivers follow the rules.
First they gave tickets only. Then they added a half-sheet note under the wiper. The note said exactly where the driver should park next time. They flipped this plan back and forth to be sure the note was the cause.
What they found
When the note was added, illegal parking dropped below the ticket-only periods. The drop held each semester.
The note doubled the power of the citation. Drivers got clear, kind feedback and changed their behavior.
How this fits with other research
Virues-Ortega et al. (2023) used two vibrating bracelets to cut face-touching in adults. Both studies show that instant, wearable feedback can curb everyday behavior in the real world.
Parry-Cruwys et al. (2022) gave college students quick online feedback to master APA citations. Like the parking note, the feedback was specific and immediate, and it worked.
Sarber et al. (1983) found that hard probe trials can trick you into thinking learning failed. Their warning reminds us to keep the note polite and doable, not harsh or vague.
Why it matters
If you run a campus clinic, community site, or parent training, slip a kind, clear prompt onto the problem. A sticky note on a mailbox, a text with the exact bus stop, or a printed reminder on the staff fridge can double the effect of your usual consequence. Keep it short, friendly, and specific.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
University parking can be expensive and frustrating for students and faculty due to the limited number of parking spaces on campus and the distance from most parking lots to the campus buildings. Most commonly, parking citations are assigned to illegally parked vehicles. This may decrease illegal parking but increases student/faculty frustration. The current study, incorporating a reversal design, distributed performance feedback to illegally parked vehicles in a university parking lot. The feedback informed drivers of failure to park in a legal parking spot and informed them of where to park legally in the future. Over the course of four semesters, feedback was shown to be an effective complement to parking citations. While parking citations may have reduced illegal parking somewhat, the addition of performance feedback increased the effectiveness of citations and led to fewer illegally parked vehicles overall.
Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, 2020 · doi:10.1080/01608061.2020.1823931