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POLICY STATEMENT #85
"UTILITY CARTS" ON CAMPUS
I.
Purpose:
To
establish a policy for the safe use of "unlicensed off-the-road
vehicles" on campus.
II.
Scope:
This
policy covers all types and makes of "unlicensed off-the-road
vehicles"; three (3), four (4), and six (6) wheel vehicles, electric or
gas powered, and alternative fuel vehicles used for transportation of people,
equipment, products, etc., on campus.
III. Definitions:
A.
Utility Cart. As
used herein, the term shall apply to all unlicensed off-the-road vehicles
operated on the UNC Charlotte campus.
B.
Central Area of Campus.
Academic core of campus bounded by Rowe, Colvard South, Reese, Cone
Center, Atkins Library, Burson, Cameron Applied Research Center, McEniry,
Fretwell, Denny, and Storrs buildings.
IV. Policy:
A.
Only Utility Carts essential to maintaining and servicing
University facilities and academic functions shall be permitted to be operated
on campus.
B.
Only trained, authorized representatives of the University
or designees may operate Utility Carts on campus.
C.
Pedestrians shall have the right-of-way on all walkways of
the campus at all times.
D.
The following areas shall be “Off-Limit-Areas” at all
times:
1.
Colvard
Arcade (between Colvard North and South buildings).
2.
Pedestrian
path between Hunt Village and Brocker Health Center.
3.
Pedestrian
path between Oak Hall and Craver Road.
4.
Pathway
from Mary Alexander Road to Martin Village through Van Landingham Glen and
Susie Harwood Gardens.
5.
Pedestrian
path between Van Landingham Glen and Mary Alexander Road.
6.
Any
street or roadway located off University property.
E.
Utility Carts shall not access the following areas during
normal work hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (except when required
to service an area in the immediate vicinity of these sidewalks). Adjacent buildings shall be serviced
whenever possible from loading docks or services lanes:
1.
Parking Lot 16A located between the Auxiliary Services
building and McMillan Greenhouse.
2.
The sidewalk between the Auxiliary Services building and
Cameron Applied Research Center.
3.
The sidewalk between the Auxiliary Services building and
McEniry building.
4.
The sidewalk areas between McEniry building and the
Bookstore/Prospector building.
5.
The brick plaza between Friday and Fretwell buildings.
6.
The sidewalk between King building and Atkins Library
leading to Cone Center’s east entrance (including the adjacent lawn areas).
7.
The quadrangle between King, Reese, Colvard South and
Colvard North (flagpole area) buildings.
8.
The ramp adjacent to the west side of Colvard South
building.
9.
The sidewalks leading from the Reese building to the
high-rise Residence Halls and Reese building to Brocker Health Center.
F.
All
Utility Carts shall avoid travel in the Central Area of Campus and pedestrian
routes to and from the Residence Halls areas during class changing when
schedules can be altered.
G.
All
across campus travel (i.e., Physical Plant to high-rise Residence Halls, etc.)
shall avoid using the Central Area of Campus.
H.
While
traveling on campus roads, all motor vehicle laws shall be observed.
I.
If a Utility Cart is required to be in the Central Area of
Campus when pedestrians are present, cart speeds shall be reduced to a walking
pace. The operator shall either stop, or go around groups of people, even if
the Utility Cart has to leave the sidewalk and drive on the grass.
J.
Utility
Carts shall be parked so as not to obstruct normal egress from buildings or
block exits, handicapped ramps or paths of pedestrian travel on sidewalks. Whenever possible utility carts shall be
parked in the loading dock service area of a building (but shall not block
access to refuse dumpsters).
K.
Equipment
shall be loaded onto Utility Carts so as not to create a hazard to pedestrians.
No equipment shall be loaded on a Utility Cart that exceeds the width of the
cart or exceeds load capacity.
L.
Passengers
in a Utility Cart shall be seated at all times, and passenger capacity or other
published safety considerations proposed by the manufacturer of a Utility Cart
shall never be exceeded/violated.
M.
Under
no circumstances shall a Utility Cart be used to tow any equipment, unless
properly equipped to do so (i.e., trailer hitches, etc.).
N.
When
riding in a Utility Cart all hands and feet shall be kept in the cart.
O.
All
Utility Carts shall have a department letter and a number assigned to the cart
which shall be affixed to the front and the rear of the cart. The letter and
numbers shall be a minimum of four (4) inches high and contrast with the color
of the Utility Cart so they can be easily seen.
V. Responsibilities:
A.
Each Department shall be responsible for disseminating this
policy, training all operators of Utility Carts, and insuring that appropriate corrective
actions are taken when violations of this policy are reported. Violations are considered Job Performance
issues and disciplinary action may be taken.
These regulations are also incorporated in the University Traffic
Ordinance, Utility Cart operators are subject to Campus Civil Penalty
Citations.
B.
The operators of "Utility Carts" shall be
responsible for the safe operation of the vehicle and adherence to the policies
in Section IV.
C.
In instances where the vehicle can be identified, abuse of
this policy shall be referred to the responsible Department Head. In other
instances, the abuses should be referred to the Department of Police and Public
Safety.
D.
Any accident involving a Utility Cart shall be reported to
Police and Public Safety immediately and an accident report form completed for
every incident regardless of cost (see Policy Statement #89).
E.
Each department shall be responsible for maintaining the
safe operation of its Utility Carts.
The Facilities Management Department shall notify the Safety Office of
any uncorrected mechanical hazards or unapproved accessories on Utility Carts.
(Initially
approved January 5, 1987; revised October 29, 2001.)
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