What Is a Parking Study?
A parking study is an analysis of a community or development's parking needs. It typically includes an inventory of existing parking, an evaluation of current parking conditions, and projections of future parking demand. Parking studies are conducted to inform decisions about land use, transportation infrastructure, and parking management.
There are many different types of parking studies, but they all share a common goal: to understand the complex relationship between parking and land use. A well-designed parking study can help decision-makers identify problems and opportunities, set goals, and make informed decisions about how to best use limited resources.
Parking studies often include a few key components:
An inventory of existing parking facilities and spaces
An analysis of current parking conditions and utilization
A projection of future parking demand
Recommendations for improving parking management
The first step in any parking study is to conduct an inventory of existing parking facilities and spaces. This inventory will provide a baseline against which future changes can be measured. The inventory should includes a count of all parking spaces, both public and private, and information about the type of parking (e.g., surface lot, garage, on-street). It should also note the location of each parking space and whether it is currently being used.
After the inventory is complete, the next step is to analyze current parking conditions and utilization. This analysis will help identify any problems with the existing system and how they can be addressed. The analysis should consider factors such as:
The number of cars that are parked in each space
The average length of time that cars are parked in each space
The types of vehicles that are using each space
The time of day when each space is most heavily used
Once the current parking conditions have been analyzed, the next step is to projection future parking demand. This projection should consider both population growth and changes in land use. The projection will help decision-makers identify where future parking needs are likely to occur and how many spaces will be needed.
The final step in a parking study is to develop recommendations for improving parking management. These recommendations may include changes to zoning regulations, parking fees, or the way that public and private spaces are used. The goal of these recommendations is to improve the efficiency of the existing system and make it easier for people to find a place to park.
Parking studies are a vital tool for cities and towns that are trying to manage their limited parking resources in a sustainable way. By understanding the complex relationship between parking and land use, parking studies can help decision-makers make informed decisions about how to best use limited resources.
