1. Parking Misconceptions &
Misunderstandings

2. “I can’t find a space
when I need to, so
there’s clearly a
need for more
parking.”

3. It applies to parking too…
Copyright © 1998-2011, Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University.

4. Supply and Demand
–Parking is often the largest single land use
in municipalities
–Often, signage and way-finding can
improve utilization
–Before adding new free parking, pricing
high demand areas should be considered

5. “We need more
parking to ease
congestion.”

6. Alternatives
– Reduce parking needs with:
• Car-sharing vehicles
• Shared parking
• Improved pedestrian and bicycling infrastructure
• Pricing
– Too much free and underpriced parking can encourage
people to drive by making an area unpleasant to walk,
and hard to reach by public transportation
– Metered parking can reduce congestion by freeing up
parking places and reducing the need to “cruise” for a
spot

7. “Parking
should always
be free.”

8. Parking should be friendly
– Parking is a valuable city asset and everyone
pays for its provision and maintenance
through taxes
– Parking is also paid through higher prices for
goods, higher housing costs, and higher rents
– regardless of who uses it
– Parking should be friendly, not always free.
– Charging for parking usage would reduce the
tax burden from the general public to the user

9. Technology is changing everyday and should be used as much as possible to make paying
for parking EASY. Pay-by-phone, QR to pay site, in-car meters, etc. are some possibilities.

10. “If I have to pay to
park downtown, I’ll
go to the mall
instead, where it’s
free.”

11. Designed for People
– In a denser downtown area, you’re paying
for access to a small number of premium
spaces; most mall spaces are far from your
final destination, often further than remote
municipal lots
– If it were possible to drive into the mall and
park in front of your favorite store, the mall
would probably charge for that!

13. Unrealistic Expectations
Suburban Mall Downtown Naperville

14. “If this community
charges for parking, I
will no longer support
the businesses and it
will hurt the
economy.”

15. Performance Pricing
– Performance Pricing is designed to create
only one or two vacant spots per block; if
most are filled, the meters are not chasing
away all the customers
– If, after a short “adjustment period,” most
meters are vacant, prices are too high and
should be lowered

16. “You’re just trying
to fill budget gaps
and steal our
money.”

17. Maybe. Maybe not.
– Good parking management helps alleviate traffic
congestion, reduce the public burden of parking,
and promote alternative modes; it should NOT be
seen as a cash cow
– Be transparent with how the money will be spent,
return the revenues to the same block with street
improvements
– Involve the business community
– Modify price with demand, rather than
implementing a flat rate

18. more information
Lindsay Banks
Associate Planner, CMAP
lbanks@cmap.illinois.gov
312-386-8826