Ask the Experts - May 2010
What has been the greatest impact of recent trends in organizations' Transportation Demand Management (TDM) plans on the parking industry?
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Art Noriega
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The trends to improve traffic flow generally impact the availability of public on-street parking spaces. With limited rights of way, the tug of war over traffic movement and parking are central to the planning responsibilities of every city. In most cases it's an either/or proposition. In most cases, the commercial business climate and activity will dictate which one of these is a higher priority.
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Rebecca White, CAPP
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Commuters have responded to TDM and we have the associated decline in permit sales to prove it! The opportunity we've identified: people want to use the alternative a few days a week and maintain the option to use their SOV a few days per week. We've capitalized on that need by offering more flexible options and therefore, revenue opportunities for ourselves. Offerings include occasional parker permits, carpool permits valid in more areas, discounted after-hours permits.
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Brian Shaw
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Those who oversee parking should see TDM not as a threat, but as a partner who can help bring new customers and services. The availability of other options to travel to a location thru TDM allows parking operators to charge a premium for the privilege of parking on site. This will help to offset any revenue lost by the reduction in demand and could even increase revenue over time - TDM and parking should be a win-win.
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Linda Kauffman
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TDM initiatives can be viewed as counterproductive toward parking initiatives since the goal is to reduce the number of vehicle trips. Less vehicle trips translates to less cars to park which means less revenue. Car sharing is also a big growth area. More and more cities are using ZipCar as an example and it has become very popular. At the same time, the exodus to the suburbs seems to be decreasing and the move back to city centers is increasing. Initiatives in the past for green space planning and pedestrian areas have led to a decrease in the number of parking spaces. As a result of all of this, TDM initiatives can be the very useful to manage this conflicting movement.
