Strategies > Transportation Demand Management > Parking Availability and Pricing

Parking Availability and Pricing

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Photo: Unsplash/ Josh Newton
Several different parking management strategies exist:
  • Differences in cost between short-term and long-term parking can discourage long-term commuter parking in parking spaces near retail.  
  • On-street fees encourage more turnover that favors short-term parking.
  • Residential parking permits discourage commuter parking in residential areas. 
  • Employers can charge for parking and/or offer cash-out programs that offer employees cash instead of a parking space (see also Employer-Based Trip Reduction Programs).
  • Changing minimum parking standards as part of development requirements prevent an oversupply of parking spaces.
  • Adaptive parking pricing varies the prices by location and time of day based on demand. 

Likely Outcomes

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Reduced VMT
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Reduced GHG
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Reduced Congestion
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Increased Retail Activity
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Improved Aesthetics
While the evidence on the direct impact of parking on vehicle miles traveled (VMT) is scarce, all studies show that increasing parking prices will reduce demand for parking (Salon et al., 2012, paywall; Spears et al., 2014). Furthermore, some studies show that adaptive parking pricing can reduce "cruising" for parking (i.e., circling for parking), which can generate congestion and a substantial amount of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). The possible co-benefits of a reduction in parking demand include congestion relief, increased commercial activity, and the creation of opportunities to re-purpose parking lots for other uses, including housing or open spaces (Spears et al., 2014). 

Equity

  • Minimum parking requirements can increase the cost of housing and goods by folding parking costs into the price of development.
  • Reducing parking requirements or increases in parking prices should be considered in light of the other travel options available; that is, ensure that people have reasonable alternatives to driving and/or parking choices. 

Complementary Strategies

Implementation Guidance

Guides & Reports
Ideas to Accelerate Parking Reform in the United States



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Institute for Transportation and Development Policy, 2021
Research Reports & Briefs
Social Equity Impacts of Congestion Management Strategies


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Transportation Sustainability Research Center, 2015
Parking Code Guidance: Case Studies and Model Provisions



Metropolitan Transportation Commission, 2012
Case Studies - Smart Parking
[Website]




Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 2020
SFpark Evaluation [Website, Multiple Links]




San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, 2014
Tools
TRIMMS (Trip Reduction Impacts of Mobility Management Strategies)


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Center for Urban Transportation, University of South Florida, n.d.
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