MR

parking survey

Parking Survey Overview

The parking survey is an integrated component of urban transportation planning, crucial for understanding the spatial requirements necessary for effective parking garage construction and the overall analysis of parking methodologies. It focuses on gathering comprehensive data to support decision-making processes related to parking management.

Contents of the Study

  • Importance of Conducting Parking Studies: Conducting parking studies is vital for identifying current usage patterns, forecasting future demands, and ensuring efficient use of limited space in urban settings. They also provide essential data for policymakers to create informed regulations and development plans.

  • Types of Parking Facilities: There are various types of parking facilities that cater to different needs, including public, private, surface lots, garages, and special event parking. Each type has its unique operational requirements and implications for city planning.

  • Definitions of Parking Terms: A clear understanding of parking terminology is crucial for interpreting data accurately and conducting effective analysis.

  • Steps Involved in Parking Studies: A systematic approach is necessary for collecting data and deriving meaningful conclusions from the analyses.

  • Analysis of Parking Data: This involves turning raw data into actionable insights, understanding the interaction of various factors influencing parking patterns, and adjusting strategies accordingly.

Types of Parking Facilities

  • On-Street Parking Facilities: These consist of parking bays located alongside curbs in city streets, crucial for convenient access to businesses and residences.

  • Off-Street Parking Facilities: This category includes the following:

    • Private vs. Public Parking: Private parking is typically controlled by individuals or businesses for their own use, while public parking is operated by government entities and is available to all.

    • Surface Lots vs. Garages: Surface lots are generally open areas for parking, whereas garages provide structure and often added security.

    • Self-parking vs. Attendant-parking: Self-parking allows users to park their own vehicles, while attendant-parking is managed by staff who handle vehicle placement and retrieval, commonly found in high-demand areas.

    • Consideration of Current Downtown Parking Types: Evaluating the existing types of parking facilities is essential to identify gaps in services and enhance user experience in urban centers.

Definitions of Parking Terms

  • Space-hour: A space-hour is defined as the utilization of a single parking space for one hour.

  • Parking Volume: This measures the total number of vehicles parking within a specific area over a designated time frame, typically calculated over the course of a day.

  • Accumulation: Represents the total number of vehicles parked in an area at any given time, offering insights into peak usage periods.

  • Parking Load: This is calculated as the area under the accumulation curve across specified time intervals expressed in space-hours.

  • Parking Duration: Duration refers to the total time a vehicle remains parked in a facility.

  • Turnover Rate: This rate is computed using the formula: (Parking Volume in a given time period) / (Number of available Parking Spaces), indicating the efficiency of space utilization.

Steps of Parking Studies

  1. Inventory of Existing Parking Facilities: Assess the types and quantities of spaces available.

  2. Data Collection: Gather data on aspects such as parking accumulation, turnover rates, and durations to understand usage patterns.

  3. Identification of Parking Generators: Recognize the character and volume of activities that generate parking demand.

  4. Information Gathering on Parking Demand: Collect qualitative and quantitative data on demand, including user feedback and historical use data.

Information Included in Parking Studies

  • Parker Characteristics: Investigate factors such as when, where, why, and how many vehicles park within a facility to understand user behavior.

  • Parking Supply Characteristics: Look into key details such as the number, location, costs of spaces, ownership details, and policies governing usage.

Demand Factors

  • Population Changes: Analyze trends in motor vehicle registrations and travel behavior shifts to anticipate changing demand.

  • Economic Factors: Consider changes in Central Business District (CBD) employment, the emergence of new economic activities, and fluctuations in regional competitiveness.

  • Public Transit Changes: Evaluate how improvements in public transport availability and services impact parking demand.

  • Technological & Policy Changes: Take into account newly enacted transport laws, energy considerations, and the overall health of the economy in shaping parking practices.

Inventory of Existing Parking Facilities

  • Conduct a detailed review of facility types and number of spaces available.

  • Check operational times and assess any existing parking limits.

  • Investigate ownership types and associated parking fees.

  • Evaluate restrictions on usage and any nearby limitations, such as proximity to bus stops and fire hydrants.

Parking Demand Evaluation

  • Accumulation Monitoring: Implement checks every two hours to monitor fluctuating parking demands effectively.

  • Turnover Analysis: Utilize the formula T = (Number of different vehicles parked) / (Number of parking spaces) to derive the maximum permissible duration for parking.

Identifying Parking Generators

  • Assess the characteristics of distributions, sizes, and types of generators, along with available transport modes, to gauge the corresponding levels of parking demand.

Surveying for Parking Demand

  • Achieving a response rate of at least 30% from surveys is considered effective for a representative sample.

  • Ideal survey timing is during weekdays from 8 AM to 10 PM to capture peak usage patterns.

  • Survey forms should encompass questions regarding destinations, trip purposes, arrival and departure times, and types of vehicles used.

Analysis of Parking Data

  • Conduct a comprehensive review of both legally and illegally parked vehicle counts and durations.

  • Measure space-hour demand against the available capacity of existing facilities to identify shortages or inefficiencies.