Your 'Right' to Free Parking is Being Curbed: Fighting Congestion, Cities Start Charging

This article describes a burgeoning strategy in American cities to eliminate free parking spaces. Free spaces cause problems for municipalities due to drivers circling about in an attempt to locate such a space; this is a problem that compounds vehicle pollution and congestion issues where they are already critical. A recent survey of drivers stopped at various stop lights around Brooklyn found that up to 45 percent were looking for parking spots. In New York City’s SoHo district this number was 28 percent. In Redwood City, California and Portland, Oregon, city officials have experimented with fluctuating rates for peak time, a measure that, in the case of Portland, has helped see bus usage rates triple in the last three years. San Francisco, California has also been experimenting with an alternative system where spots will be priced according to demand. Charging for entering downtown areas as has been implemented in London and a proposal for New York City is also discussed.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/3041176
• Authors:
  • Swanson, Stevenson
• Publication Date: 2007-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: pp 35-36
• Serial:
  • Parking
  • Volume: 46
  • Issue Number: 6
  • Publisher: National Parking Association
  • ISSN: 0031-2193

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Parking; Parking demand; Parking fees; Traffic congestion
• Subject Areas: Economics; Finance; Highways; Society; I10: Economics and Administration;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01054566
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: UC Berkeley Transportation Library
• Files: BTRIS, TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 30 2007 8:30AM