Parking Reform Is Possible

Parking Reform is Possible The purpose of the article was to bring forth an argument that reforming parking was possible. The argument was based on research findings that were carried out between 1927 and 2008. The argument was based on considering the prices that curbs are charged for parking. According to ‘Goldilocks Principle of Parking Prices’,it was argued that the price for parking should be considered too high in situations where there are several parking spaces left unoccupied. On the other hand, the parking prices were considered too low if all the parking spaces were occupied. Therefore the right price for parking was considered as being indicated by the presence of one or two unoccupied parking spaces as this allowed drivers to …show more content…
The city has in place meters that charge different prices and has also installed sensors that indicate occupancy rates or every parking space in real time. The prices are adjusted once in a month within a range of not above 50 cents an hour. This mechanism allows the city to charge the lowest price possible and at the same time avoid creation of parking shortage. It has been argued that meters would discourage some drivers from going to some specific places. However, such a move would be welcomed in that the spaces that such drivers would have occupied become available for others who are willing to pay. Similarly, businesses would pick because chances are that cars would transport several customers at a go. Additionally, performance pricing would encourage carpooling because the occupant of one car would cost share the parking fee. There would also be faster turnover since drivers would pay every time they occupy a parking space. High turnover and high occupancy vehicle would eventually lead to increased sales and taxes. Performance pricing has other advantages in that it keeps customers flowing and this sustains businesses and jobs. It would also lead to reduced cruising and reduced traffic (Shoup33). Curb parking pricing is important in that it pays for public services. This becomes important when people charge for curb parking in their neighbourhood and the revenue collected is used in …show more content…
The approach of policy formation and that of performance parking have been demonstrated as effective in some cities and this need to be applied in other cities and in different parts of the world. There is also a need to evaluate whether the burden of increasedparking charges is incurred by the commuters. If that is the case, then when the parking prices are low they should be charged less by the curbs. Otherwise a general commuting charge should be established to cushion the