Environmentally Friendly Carport Built in O’Boyle Parking Lot
October 27, 2012
Filed under News
The O’Boyle parking lot at the Catholic University of America was recently renovated. A carport and an electric pump were added the old lot to accommodate for a larger variety of modern vehicles.
The carport is used to protect cars from harmful environmental elements. It is a shelter that is roofed but remains open on the sides. The canopy shields the cars beneath it from rain, snow, and other inclement weather.
“Why would the school choose to build a carport instead of another garage?” an anonymous student asked.
Carports and garages provide similar protection to cars, and there are benefits to both. A garage fully encloses a vehicle, protecting it completely from nature while also deterring burglaries. A garage however takes a lot more space than a carport, and uses more energy and electricity. Carports can be placed in any existing lot, like the O’Boyle lot, and still lend protection to vehicles without the extra cost. The fact that carports aren’t covered can actually be convenient to both students and teachers who have several items in their hands or those who are in a rush. Anyone with a campus parking pass is free to park in the O’Boyle parking lot and to take advantage of the carport.
The O’Boyle parking lot also has plugs for “green” cars installed. Special parking spots are set aside in the parking lot for electric cars only so that they can use the plugs to charge their cars. The spaces have not been utilized frequently.
Many students have been unaware that the carport and electric car plugs existed on campus.
Carports and electric plugs have started to gain in frequency at schools, event spaces, and even in private residences. Several students at CUA believe that the school decided to install the carport and the “green” car plugs to represent the school as a “green” institution, a desirable title to have in an environmentally conscious time.
When asked what the school was trying to accomplish by adding these features, junior Katherine Lamb said, “I would say the carport is another way for the university to show the rest of society that they are a ‘green’ entity.”
Another student, Joey Mattingly, said he thought it was so that the University could “be known as a green school.”
Other students had more positive feedback. “I’m glad that the school is taking into consideration those students who want to leave a smaller carbon footprint. I think it is a great step in a positive direction. Thank You, CUA,” said an anonymous sophomore student.
Regardless of the school’s motive, the carport and electric plugs are available for use in the new O’Boyle parking lot, which officially opens Friday.
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