Tips and Tricks: The Art of Mobility, Getting Around UAB

Posted by Tandy L Dolin Petrov

Mobility is the action of moving, and when living downtown near an urban university, understanding its art is the key to successful navigation. Writers should be good at this. When we are outlining a research article, for example, we find all sorts of different ways to navigate the path, of getting from Point A to Point B and then onto Point C, if we are lucky. Why not apply our writer’s navigational skills to the challenge of getting around UAB’s 82-block campus? To that end, here are some tips and tricks to making the move more efficient and/or exciting.  

TIP #1: One of the most important principles in writing AND getting around campus is understanding structure. So, this first tip is to know about UAB roadways is that the Avenues run parallel to University Blvd., however the Streets transect University Blvd. In other words, they run perpendicular. We are also located in the south hemisphere of Birmingham, thus all our roads will have South at the end of them. 
TRICK #1:  Taking side roads off of University, such as 7th Avenue and 6th Avenue, can help avoid the traffic jams that can occur on University.  These also lead to hidden parking oases, the priceless gems of undergraduate and graduate commuters (15Lots). 

TIP #2:  Writers always look for cool tools to get them to their destinations faster and more easily. Blazer Express provides a quick and efficient way to chauffeur faculty, staff, and students around campus to designated, safe locations.
TRICK #2:  There are 5 bus routes that rotate around our university clockwise and if you download the [Transloc] APP you get to see RealTime location updates on your bus and find out what time you need to arrive at the bus stop.

TIP #3:  Walking is not only good for a person, but also provides a unique and healthy way to get around campus by providing the most scenic views of UAB and the Vulcan.
TRICK #3:  The various greens, parks, and quads offer cut-through pathways to commuter and resident parking lots, while ensuring that the journey includes a detour past your favorite coffee spot. Stop, grab a latte, and take a break from your research writing to create a blog post, i.e. do some fun writing (like this!) 

Finally, my favorite way of negotiating the Birmingham grid is via scooter.  The motorized scooter or “Moped”, is an inexpensive European favorite, is conservative on gas (last visit to the pump 02/12/15 = $1.93 = 100 miles), come in a variety of colors to match every personality (pictured top right, my ‘Buddy’) and are extremely convenient to park (almost anywhere is a parking place!)  Scooters open a rider up to the adventure of Alabama weather extremes and are a more environmentally friendly vehicle when compared to other automobiles.

I have yet to find the equivalent of a scooter for a writer unless it’s an ergonomic desk chair on wheels, but let me know what you think. Do you have favorite tips for navigating a writing project and getting around UAB?