CAR PARK MANAGEMENT. A BUSINESS STRATEGY FOR THE '90S

This article proposes answers to some important questions about car parking, and presents a possible business strategy for car park management. Car park designers and managers should find out who the existing customers are, what are their needs and wishes, and how to attract other customers. They should understand the local, national and political environment. The first step in overcoming the present failure to manage the car parking business is to recognise that a parking space is a product and service. Its main function, providing space, needs to be supplemented by safety, security, accessibility, etc. The two main groups of car park users are long-stay and short- stay customers. Both are subdivided into ratepayers and non- ratepayers of the car park's local authority. Purposes of parking customers include shopping, work journeys and leisure. There is a conflict between car parks' main objectives of providing facilities at a level above cost and providing accessibility. To resolve this conflict, parking management needs to be moved or at least separated from political details, and have clear objectives so that management can develop a long-term approach. A broad strategy should be based on the 4 'P's: (1) Product; (2) Place; (3) Price; (4) Promotion. These aspects are discussed in some detail.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/14708361
• Corporate Authors:

  BRITISH PARKING ASSOCIATION

  7 HILLSIDE
  PORTBURY, BRISTOL,   United Kingdom  BS20 9UD
• Authors:
  • BAKER, C S
• Publication Date: 1994-2

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 4-8
• Serial:
  • PARKING NEWS
  • Issue Number: 139
  • Publisher: BRITISH PARKING ASSOCIATION
  • ISSN: 1470-8361

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Administration; Parking; Parking facilities
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Highways; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00665374
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Sep 9 1994 12:00AM