State and local transportation agencies have long focused on what’s happening between the curbs—collecting data about the speed, volume, and types of vehicles moving along each road—but growing competition for curb space from parked cars, bikes, taxis, TNCs, and deliveries presents new challenges both in terms of data and policy. Fortunately, data experts are stepping up to the task.
parking
Downtown parking: A declining business
What effect do Uber and Lyft have on parking demand in urban areas? Ace Parking has experienced a sizeable drop in demand for parking in the company’s San Diego location. Parking at hotels in San Diego has dropped by five to ten percent; restaurant valet demand has dropped 25 percent, and demand for valet parking at nightclubs has dropped a staggering 50 percent. While the timeline for these declines is unclear, an Ace Parking executive stated that similar or more severe trends have also been seen in the company’s parking operations, which number close to 750 locations around the United States.
California blocks parking requirements where housing needs aren’t met
In an effort to streamline affordable housing development, a new California law (SB-35) will preclude cities from requiring parking on certain projects, beginning January 1. Parking can drive up housing costs considerably and often isn’t needed.
California blocks parking requirements where housing needs aren’t met
In an effort to streamline affordable housing development, a new California law (SB-35) will preclude cities from requiring parking on certain projects, beginning January 1. Parking can drive up housing costs considerably and often isn’t needed.
Cities and airports look to develop best practices for rideshare pick-ups and drop-offs
As the demand for ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft is exploding in many U.S. cities, pick-ups and drop-offs in high-traffic locations with limited curb space can create safety and congestion concerns for passengers, drivers and other street users such as bicyclists. Cities are beginning to experiment with solutions by creating dedicated zones for pick up and drop off of passengers.
The psychology of daily versus monthly parking fees
Several major employers in Seattle are trying innovative ways to charge for commuter parking. These employers found that how parking for commuters is priced—on a daily vs. a monthly basis—makes a big difference in their employees’ commuting habits. By allowing their employees the flexibility to choose their commute mode on a day-to-day basis, these companies show sustained decreases in the number of employees commuting alone to work in their cars.
The psychology of daily versus monthly parking fees
Several major employers in Seattle are trying innovative ways to charge for commuter parking. These employers found that how parking for commuters is priced—on a daily vs. a monthly basis—makes a big difference in their employees’ commuting habits. By allowing their employees the flexibility to choose their commute mode on a day-to-day basis, these companies show sustained decreases in the number of employees commuting alone to work in their cars.
How much does parking really cost (in time, fuel, and frustration)?
INRIX, a company that provides both software and data services in the realm of transportation and mobility, has issued a report on the cost of “parking pain.” Instead of focusing on the cost of a parking spot, the report looks at the time, wasted fuel, and congestion caused by searching for a spot. They also estimated how much drivers waste by paying for more parking time than they need.
Completing the commute: Does Uber have a role in parking management?
The rapid rise of Transit Network Companies like Uber and Lyft has sparked a new round of innovations in transportation. While most early TNC success has been in large urban areas, the usefulness of these services for bridging first- and last-mile connections between home, work, and transit outside major urban centers is becoming apparent. A new pilot program in Summit, NJ, a bedroom community to New York City, illustrates an unexpected and important benefit of targeted use of TNCs: parking management.
TDM study suggests we are overestimating vehicle trip generation rates
In a recent study done in Melbourne, Australia, researchers compared transportation demand management plans at four new residential developments with control sites with similar characteristics. The results showed lower car mode share and trip generation in the sites with TDM plans, but also significantly lower rates of vehicle trip generation than those published in commonly-used sources.