Purpose: assess performance-based parking strategies and implementation options for Seattle that contribute to a vibrant and thriving city.
The goal of the project is to develop ways of pricing and managing on-street parking that:
- Help customers find parking within easy walking distance of their destination, while ensuring spaces are well used
- Conserve fuel, reduce emissions, and lessen traffic congestion from drivers circling in search of parking
- Increase access to businesses by ensuring turnover
- Use clear communication to increase ease of use and enhance the customer experience
Project objectives:
- Engage stakeholders
- Establish data-driven outcomes and performance metrics
- Develop an implementation plan
Scope overview:
- On-street parking data collection and analysis
- Variable parking pricing strategies development
- Economic analysis
- Public engagement
- Final implementation report
Timeline
Frequently Asked Questions
Why a study?
SDOT is conducting a study in response to City Council's direction to look at the possibility of establishing variable rates for different times of day, potentially in 2012. We will report the results of this effort to City Council in September 2011.
Are other cities doing things like this?
Yes. Places like San Francisco, Washington D.C., New York, and Los Angeles are testing out performance-based parking pricing strategies.
How can I get involved?
Throughout the study, SDOT will engage people via the project webpage, online surveys, and through a Parking Sounding Board. If you have comments or questions, please contact project manager Mary Catherine Snyder at (206) 684-8110 or marycatherine.snyder@seattle.gov.
Parking in the news and on the web
Seattle is certainly not the only city looking into better ways to manage on-street parking and access to neighborhoods. We'll be posting interesting articles and websites for your reading pleasure here:
- National Geographic recently (July 2011) posted this article on how cities around the world are reducing their on-street parking supply to transform parking spaces into public spaces.
- In a related story, San Francisco is delving into the world of “parklets,” by repurposing parking spaces into little parks and sidewalk cafes.
- Check out this short video clip on San Francisco's SFPark Program, the largest variable pricing pilot program in the country. You can learn more about SFPark at http://sfpark.org/
Throughout the study, SDOT will engage people via the project webpage, online surveys, and through a Parking Sounding Board.
Parking Sounding Board
To provide a forum for more direct engagement in developing parking programs and rates, SDOT is forming a Parking Sounding Board, made up of a variety of representatives - from private parking operators to members of community councils and neighborhood chamber groups (click here for a list of invited members). The Performance-Based Parking Pricing Study will be the Board's initial focus. The Sounding Board will meet several times throughout 2011.
Meetings are set for June 9, June 23, July 14, August 4, September 15, October 6, and November 17. Meetings are open to the public, and there will be time at the end of the agenda for public comment.
Next meeting is:
Thursday, November 17, 2011, 8 – 10 am
Seattle Municipal Tower (700 5th Ave), Room 4080
Meeting materials
Oct 6: agenda, Powerpoint (pdf), meeting minutes
Sept 15: agenda, Powerpoint (pdf), meeting minutes
August 4: agenda, handout, Powerpoint (pdf), meeting minutes
July 14: agenda, summary from 6/23 expert panel, Powerpoint (pdf), meeting minutes
June 23: agenda, Video clip of San Francisco's SF Park Program, meeting minutes
June 9: agenda, Powerpoint (pdf), meeting minutes
If you have comments or questions, please contact project manager Mary Catherine Snyder at (206) 684-8110 or marycatherine.snyder@seattle.gov.
