Students worried about tickets and towed cars during snow emergencies will have a new option this year.

When a snow emergency is declared, vehicle owners will be able to move their vehicles off streets and into select University parking ramps free of charge, according to the Minneapolis city Web site.

The program includes three ramps, located on Oak Street Southeast, Fourth Street Southeast and 21st Avenue Southeast. They will be free between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. on a snow emergency’s first day.

The idea came from a 2001 Minneapolis Public Works Department study that aimed to find ways to improve winter parking.

The city declares snow emergencies when a significant amount of snow accumulates. Vehicles must be removed from the streets so plows can clear the snow.