 Nermin Fenmen, the new head of Bilkent's Traffic Committee answers Bilkent
New's questions about ongoing traffic projects, the current parking situation and plans
for the future.
Bilkent News: As the new Head of the Traffic Committee, can you give us
some information about your plans for the new academic year? Will there be new
applications or any regulation changes?
NF: As the Traffic Committee we will be holding our first meeting of the
new academic year during the last week of September to discuss our ongoing program and
plans for the new academic year. I hope to give a more detailed answer to this question
during the coming weeks. However, I would like to draw attention to a few minor points put
into effect recently:
1) Some of the parking lots have been extended to meet the requirements
of the increasing number of vehicles on campus. We hope that the number of complaints to
this effect will be minimized during this academic year.
2) The entrance to the main campus has been widened to accommodate two
lanes of traffic. Vehicles with appropriate stickers will take the lane on the left, and
will enter the campus without stopping. Guest vehicles, or vehicles where identity checks
will be required, such as shuttle buses, taxis or minibuses will take the lane on the
right and will make use of the waiting areas on the right side of the road while
completing identity checks. We hope that this will help the flow of traffic at the
entrance to campus.
3) We would also like to remind drivers who have had their stickers
suspended due to exceeding the limit of violation points, that they are required to join
an orientation program organized by the Traffic Committee and pass the test given at the
end of this program. In this way, we hope to ensure that drivers on campus have gained
awareness concerning "Respect on the Roads", which is our motto for traffic at
Bilkent.
Bilkent News: Can you give information to students about the changes to
parking lots on campus including academic/ administrative and student parking lots?
NF: On the main campus, the student parking lot opposite FEASS has been
extended to accommodate 220 more vehicles. On the other hand, the academic/administrative
staff parking lot opposite FEASS have been extended toward Cafe In, to accommodate 40 more
vehicles, reducing slightly the size of the student parking lot here. The parking lot
opposite the EA building has also been allocated to vehicles of staff members only.
Relocations and extensions on the East campus have also been planned but have not yet been
completed due to the heavy workload of the Construction and Maintenance Office. These will
be completed during the year.
We are aware that insufficient parking space in some areas is one of the problems at
Bilkent, but we would like to remind drivers that they are sure to find a place to park on
campus, even if it means a few minutes' walk to their classroom. We would also like to
draw attention to the shuttle bus within the main campus, which is available for those who
do not wish to walk. Bilkent News: With the increasing number of students and staff, the
traffic is also increasing day by day. Which role does the Traffic Committee play with
regard to making the traffic situation and life on campus more comfortable and safe?
NF: The increasing number of vehicles is a problem not only for Bilkent
but for the whole of the civilized world, in general. In metropolitan cities, authorities
are constantly working to persuade more people to travel by public transport. The same is
true for Bilkent. We ask drivers to make more use of shuttle buses running not only to
Tunus and Sýhhiye, but also to other districts in town at certain times.
One of the major issues on our agenda as the Traffic Committee is to enhance awareness
within the Bilkent community. Although we are aware that this is a difficult task, we
believe that Bilkent, claiming to be a center of excellence, should set an example to the
community not only with its high standard of education and research, but also by ensuring
a sense of responsibility in making the world a better place. We therefore regard raising
awareness concerning Respect on the Roads as part of the educational program.
We welcome any comments or suggestions from the Bilkent community in helping us make
traffic at Bilkent safer and more comfortable.
Bilkent News: Do you have any messages for Bilkent students?
NF: I will not reel off clichés such as "do not speed",
"do not drink and drive", "give way to pedestrians at all times", etc.
Instead, I wish to invite all members of the Bilkent community, not only students, but
faculty members and staff as well, to set an example to the community outside Bilkent, and
show everyone that Bilkent University is definitely a center of excellence in all aspects,
including Respect on the Roads.
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