2. Module
3 Smart Parking
Introduction
This is one of seven Transit Oriented Development training modules
developed by the Regional Plan Association, the Project for Public Spaces
and Reconnecting America under contract to the New York State Department
of Transportation in collaboration with the New York State Thruway Authority
and MTA/Metro-North Railroad. The modules were presented and tested in
one-day training sessions in two counties and two-day training sessions in
eight municipalities, all in the lower Hudson Valley. Each module is, largely,
the culmination of the versions used in the training sessions. The seven
modules are as follow.
Module 1: Building Quality communities Around Transit
Module 2: Changing Street Design to Support Liveable Development
Module 3: Smart Parking
Module 4: Creating Great Places Around Transit
Module 5: Regulations and Financing Tools for TOD
Module 6: Building Mixed Income Communities Around Transit
Module 7: Station Area Planning
3. Module
3 Smart Parking
Goals for Smart Parking
• Balance parking
supply and demand.
• Consider innovative
parking
management
policies.
• Locate parking with
sensitivity to
context.
4. Module
3 Smart Parking
Key Concepts and Definitions
• There is no such
thing as free parking.
• Parking costs $5k-
$40k per space.
• Costs are passed
along to the
consumer.
5. Module
3 Smart Parking
Key Concepts and Definitions
• TOD requires less
parking because
households near
transit own fewer cars.
• Residents and
workers near transit
ride
transit more.
6. Module
3 Smart Parking
Key Concepts and Definitions
• Short-term vs.
Long-term Parking
• Short-term:
Convenience retail
oriented,
generally on-street
• Long-term: Generally
off-street with a
mix of uses
• Regional vs. local
parking
7. Module
3 Smart Parking
Challenges
Most cities have a one-size-fits-all
parking requirement that covers the
entire city.
Parking requirements do not change with
density and transit availability, which add
costs to TOD.
Managing parking effectively requires an
investment of resources.
8. Module
3 Smart Parking
Types of Parking and
Parking Tools
• Park-and-Ride
• Shared Parking
• Bicycle Parking
• “Unbundled” Parking
• Car Sharing
9. Module
3 Smart Parking
Park-and-Ride
• Parking is located near
transit stations for
transit riders.
• User fees are
sometimes charged.
• Parking usually located
on publicly owned land.
• Parking does not need
to be immediately
adjacent to transit
station.
10. Module
3 Smart Parking
Shared Parking
• Parking is shared
among multiple
uses.
• It takes advantage
of different peak
usage hours for
parking.
• It can be used in
residential and
employment
environments.
11. Module
3 Smart Parking
Do opportunities exist
to share parking?
6 Noon 6
Office
Restaurant
Entertainment
TOTAL
SPACES
5 1/2 – 6 per
1,000 sf
EMPTY
6 Noon 6
Shared Parking
Exclusive Parking
TOTAL
SPACES
2 1/2 – 3 per
1,000 sf
Office
Entertainment
Restaurant
Empty
12. Module
3 Smart Parking
Bicycle Parking
• Types of Bicycle Parking:
Indoor Parking
Bicycle Lockers
Bicycle Racks
• Approximately 10 bikes
can fit in 1 car parking
space.
• Weather protection and
security are critical for
use.
13. Module
3 Smart Parking
“Unbundled” Parking
Parking is physically or economically
separated from its associated use.
It affects the sizing, design, site and
construction of parking.
It promotes the efficient use of parking
resources.
14. Module
3 Smart Parking
Car Sharing
• It gives access to
centrally owned and
maintained vehicles.
• It is near homes,
workplaces or transit
hubs.
• It helps lower
household auto
ownership rates.
15. Module
3 Smart Parking
3 Strategies for Smart Parking
1. Regulatory Tools for
Smart Parking
2. District Parking Tools
3. Smart Parking
Design
Parking garage at Kansas City Library
17. Module
3 Smart Parking
Reduce or Eliminate Minimum
Parking Requirements
• Tailor requirements
to usage.
• Allow for shared parking.
• Let the market
determine
parking levels.
• Require viable
transportation
alternatives.
Hunts Point, WA
18. Module
3 Smart Parking
Create Parking Maximums
• Set limits or “caps”
on the quantity of
parking that can be
provided.
• Promote more
efficient use of land.
• Encourage the use
of alternative
modes.
Most places overbuild parking
20. Module
3 Smart Parking
Parking Assessment
Evaluate current utilization of public
and private parking resources.
Recommend appropriate tools to
maximize parking assets and
potentially to generate additional
revenue.
21. Module
3 Smart Parking
Parking Pricing
It can affect parking occupancy, induce
greater turnover, increase parking
availability and generate revenue.
Effective pricing can impact the amount of
commuter parking and increase customer
access to short-term parking supplies.
22. Module
3 Smart Parking
District Parking Financing
• Tools and methods
are available to
finance district
parking.
• They can also
finance related
transportation
improvements.
New York towns have existing
on-street parking assets
23. Module
3 Smart Parking
District Parking Financing
• There are many
different types of
financing tools.
• Parking districts are
used for funding:
• Local transit
(bus/streetcar)
• Street improvements
• Public and private
development
New York towns have existing
on-street parking assets
24. Module
3 Smart Parking
Strategy 3: Smart Parking Design
• Use on-street
parking
to calm traffic.
• Hide parking from
street.
• Activate ground
floor of structure
parking.
• Provide pedestrian
amenities and
security.
25. Module
3 Smart Parking
Use On-Street Parking
to Calm Traffic
• Provide a buffer
for traffic.
• Provide a short-
term parking
reservoir.
26. Module
3 Smart Parking
Hide Parking from the Street
• Off-street parking
should be located
behind buildings,
not in front.
• Trees or other
landscape barriers
can screen parking
areas.
27. Module
3 Smart Parking
Provide Pedestrian Amenities
and Security
• Lighting and safety
are important features
of off-street parking.
• Landscaping and
clear pathways
improves pedestrian
access.
28. Module
3 Smart Parking
Activate the Ground Floor of
Structured Parking
• Ground floor retail
or other uses can
be added to off-
street garages.
• Entries to garages
should be located
in side streets or
alleys.
