Description
Parking pricing (meters) for on-street parking is typically implemented in transitional neighborhoods – near commercial corridors, universities, or entertainment districts—where demand is high and land use is mixed. It reduces vehicle circulation for parking, encourages turn over, and encourages people to consider other modes.
Implementation Details
- Adopt development code and design standards that require priced parking.
- Work with businesses to retrofit existing on-street parking facilities to include priced parking and cashless payment options.
- Incorporate clear signage and easy to use parking payment apps
Mitigation Potential
Implementing parking pricing increases the cost of driving to a location. Pricing parking disincentivizes the use of Single Occupancy Vehicle and encourages alternative forms of transportation, reducing VMT.
For more details, see CAPCOA, T-24. Implement Market Price Public Parking, pg. 179-182 and CALTRANS SB743 Program Mitigation Playbook, Parking, pg. 39-41 for VMT reduction quantification.
Linked Strategies
Equity Considerations
To avoid placing cost burdens on low-income drivers, pricing strategies should include exemptions or discounts for residents in disadvantaged communities. Revenues from priced parking should be reinvested in local multimodal improvements, such as sidewalks, bike infrastructure, and first-last mile transit access. Transparent community engagement is critical to ensure buy-in and equitable outcomes.
Funding Sources
Likely requires initial funding to set up payment system (physical payment meters/kiosk or online payment platform with physical instruction signage) and monitor parking facilities, plus continued funding for staffing parking enforcement. Planning for alternative parking strategies can be funded through RCTC’s Measure A program, Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grants, and CMAQ. Proximity to transit and active transportation networks may impact eligibility to a broader range of funding programs.
Examples/Case Studies
City of Los Angeles
Los Angeles DOT operates over 35,000 parking meters within 83 parking meter zones throughout the City, many of which have been converted into smart meters that accept cashless payment via a mobile payment application. This program provides directions to open parking spaces, reducing instances of vehicles circling while searching for an available parking spot. Drivers can also opt to receive reminders when their parking session is near expiration, which encourages self-enforcement and discourages long-term parking.
City of Riverside
Riverside has established paid parking rates for City-owned parking facilities in its downtown area. The parking pricing rates vary based on parking facility type (on-street, garage, lot, etc.), day of the week, and time of day.