In October, a group of University of Utah students called the “advance team” passed out more than 1,000 transportation surveys to find out the concerns and needs of students.

For two days, they stopped students in the stadium tunnel by asking, “Did you know this parking lot is going to close Nov. 25?”

The majority of the students didn’t. Some of them would get upset and start yelling at members of the team, others brushed it off with cynical remarks about parking services. Those who were willing were asked to fill out a six- page questionnaire.

The survey asked questions like, “How often do you ride the bus?” and “What alternative modes of transportation could you use during the time parking will be affected by the Olympics?”

The team will compile the data and present it to U and Utah Transit Authority officials.

Parking services asked psychology Professor Carol Werner to organize the student group. She then called on her students to help out.

“From the surveys, we will know if there is need for more buses and where,” Werner said in a previous interview.

One goal is to show UTA there is a need to increase the frequency of the number of buses that travel to and from the U. This will help make bus travel a more useful form of transportation, Werner said.

Director of Parking Services Alma Allred said mouth-to mouth communication is the most effective way to inform students of the changes that will take place. Brochures and flyers are not going to be read by everyone, he said.

“Informing the students who park their cars in the lots that are closing is more effective than a mailer,” Allred said. “The students who drive are the students who need to know what is happening.”

For filling out the questionnaire and returning it, students names were entered into a drawing for a bicycle and other prizes.

The team hopes to have its data compiled in time to announce it on Dec. 6.