Parking controls first principles assessment

Why introduce car parking controls?
Parking controls are implemented for a number of reasons. Firstly, to restrict parking on street where it is unsafe or is disruptive to moving vehicles.

Thirdly, to allocate scarce space according to priority needs. The order in which priorities are ranked will vary between local authorities and their overall transport policy objectives, and the type of area. For example, in residential areas residents may receive priority over other users, or in areas seeking to develop their retail centre shoppers may receive high priority. The following users need to be catered for in a parking policy:

Fourthly, to manage the level and location of car use within an area to meet wider goals regarding reductions in the negative impacts of car use.

Short and long run demand responses

Response	-	1^st year	2-4 years	5 years	10+ years
	-	-	-	-	-
	-	or	or	or	or
	Change job location	-
-	Shop elsewhere
	Compress working week	-	-	-	-
-	Trip chain	-	-	-	-
-	Work from home
-	Shop from home
	Ride share
-	Public transport
-	Walk/cycle
	-	-	-	-	-
	-	-	-	-	-

	= Weakest possible response,		= strongest possible positive response
	= Weakest possible negative response,		= strongest possible negative response

= No response

Changes in destination will occur where this allows drivers to avoid restrictive parking controls and usually results in longer journey distances.

Supply impacts

Supply impacts will vary according to type of parking. A reduction in on street parking will increase road capacity, which may be dedicated to general traffic, or to public transport, cyclists or pedestrians. Parking bans combined with time of day controls will also vary parking supply at different times, so a day time ban will maximise road capacity when traffic flows are highest. Changes in volume of off street parking will not alter the supply of road space or public transport infrastructure. As reductions in total parking supply are often politically unpopular, it is common to influence the location of parking through controls and the planning system with regard to off-street parking. The location of supply of parking may not change the total number of journeys, but can influence where the journeys terminate. Nevertheless, small reductions in parking supply over time may be possible, or merely not increasing supply as car use increases. Conversely, some areas seeking to attract inward investment may seek to increase parking supply. However, such policies need to be balanced against the negative impacts of the likely increased traffic volumes in the area.

Financing requirements

The financial commitment needed to operate parking controls can be substantial. Where technology is necessary, this is a substantial cost. Whilst the manufacturers of the technology do not make their costs public (as it is likely to be custom designed and therefore vary between installations), the cost may represent a substantial proportion of the income generated by parking charges and fines. Even where technology is not required, there will be enforcement and administration costs.

Expected impact on key policy objectives

Objective	Scale of contribution	Comment
		By reducing delays and improving reliability.
		By ensuring residents have parking spaces and social areas, and streets are not congested with other traffic – parked or searching for spaces.
		By reducing air and noise pollution, and visual intrusion.
	/	Parking controls which prevent obstructions for pedestrians can bring benefits of accessibility and improved safety, especially for people with limited mobility and for children. Controls that restrict supply mean that demand is satisfied on a first come first served basis, which may not coincide with priority of need. Duration and time of day controls may also exclude those with important needs. Permit only areas exclude those not eligible for permits, which can be problematic where no alternatives are provided.
		By controlling parking in unsafe locations.
		Where reduced congestion and pollution improves environmental quality, and neighbouring parking policies are not contradictory.
		Cost of operations. Revenue may be generated through parking charges.

	= Weakest possible positive contribution,		= strongest possible positive contribution
	= Weakest possible negative contribution		= strongest possible negative contribution

= No contribution

Expected impact on problems

Contribution to alleviation of key problems

Problem	Scale of contribution	Comment
Congestion		Where search traffic is reduced and/or alternative modes are easier to use
Community impacts		Reduction in severance where searching traffic is reduced
Environmental damage	/	Less on-street parking will have a positive contribution. Positive benefit where controls against inappropriate parking on or near environmentally sensitive sites are enforced More off-street parking at a new out of town site or multistorey will have a negative impact
Poor accessibility		Where searching traffic is reduced. Further benefit where parking controls are well designed i.e. non-essential traffic is kept of the road making access by alternative means easier, and there is more and better located provision for disabled drivers.
Social and geographical disadvantage	/	If appropriate provision for people with disabilities or in emergency. Negative if not appropriate provision.
Accidents		Inappropriate parking increases risks of collision especially for vulnerable road users. Further through less search traffic, as drivers searching for spaces may be on unfamiliar roads or have their attention districted by the search.
Economic growth		Uncertainty on evidence on the relation between parking controls and economic growth.

	= Weakest possible positive contribution,		= strongest possible positive contribution
	= Weakest possible negative contribution		= strongest possible negative contribution

= No contribution

Expected winners and losers

Winners and losers

Group	Winners / losers	Comment
Large scale freight and commercial traffic		Through less congestion in centres when making deliveries and times periods when free access is allowed.
Small businesses		Through reduced congestion and better access to premises
High income car-users		Through reduced congestion and availability of parking spaces near to destinations.
Low income car users with poor access to public transport	/	Inappropriate controls can be detrimental to people who are car dependent. Beneficial for people walking or cycling.
All existing public transport users		Where public transport is subject to less congestion related delay.
People living adjacent to the area targeted		If parking problems are merely shifted to their streets.
Cyclists including children		Parked cars are associated with increased danger of collision with child pedestrians and cyclists (Petch and Henson 2000); reduced parking might improve child safety.
People at higher risk of health problems exacerbated by poor air quality		Where searching traffic is reduced.
People making high value, important journeys		Through reduced congestion and availability of parking spaces near to destinations.
The average car user		Suitable car parking or alternatives should be available where and when needed.

	= weakest possible benefit,		= strongest benefit
	= weakest possible disbenefet,		= strongest possible disbenefit

= neither wins nor loses

Barriers to implementation

First principles assessment Why introduce car parking controls? Demand impacts Short and long run demand responses Supply impacts Financing requirements Expected impact on key policy objectives Expected impact on problems Expected winners and losers Barriers to implementation

First principles assessment
Why introduce car parking controls?
Demand impacts
Short and long run demand responses
Supply impacts
Financing requirements
Expected impact on key policy objectives
Expected impact on problems
Expected winners and losers
Barriers to implementation