Parking Management - Share Parking

Situation: The district I am studying is currently self-parked. Each parcel provides its own parking, which was required by a parking ratio and perhaps exceeded with perceived need. Businesses are struggling (due to many factors) and the ease of parking is critical in many business owners' eyes to future success.

Problem: Parking is inefficiently provided throughout the project area. Surface parking lots are far more abundant than any other type of open space and seem to take over developable space. Most visitors seem to park and visit a single establishment rather than the district as a whole.

Solution?: Managed, shared parking districts. In these districts parking lots are shared, land is more efficiently used. Shared parking districts can decrease car trips, the number of parking spaces demanded, and promote walking.

Issue: How does a city write policy or encourage private land owners to share land for parking? What about issues of liability? What about issues of land acquisition? How can a city implement shared parking where private parking has dominated?

Nonmotorized Level of Service Rating Factors

LOS, or Level of Service ratings are a graded system typically applied to vehicular traffic on our streets. LOS grades A-F evaluate the ease and efficiency of traffic traveling on a given street, not necessarily it's Level of Service for all modes. The Victoria Transport Policy Institute has conducted a lot of research on non-motorized transportation planning and developed a Nonmotorized Level of Service Rating. Here is my summary of criteria for grading nonmotorized LOS, grades are based on:

• Network continuity: sidewalks
  
• Network quality: are sidewalks properly designed and maintained?
  
• Road crossing: safety and speed of road crossings
• Traffic Protection: Separation (distance and physical separations) from motorized traffic
• Congestion and user conflicts: hazards, such as street furniture, crowding
• Topography: steep inclines
• Sense of security: visibility and lighting
• Wayfinding: signage, maps,
• Weather protection: shade trees and awnings
• Cleanliness: litter, graffiti, maintenance
• Attractiveness: Quality of nearby buildings and landscaping, open space, parks, plazas, recreational area

Action Words

These are some verbs that I commonly use in writing future plans that I call "action words":

• achieve
• address
• align
• analyze
• capture
• conduct
• consider
• create
• develop
• discourage
• enhance
• ensure
• establish
• expand
• explore
• find
• foster
• gather
• identity
• implement
• improve
• initiate
• install
• introduce
• investigate
• maintain
• manage
• monitor
• plan for
• prepare
• promote
• provide for
• pursue
• recognize
• rethink
• revamp
• secure
• strengthen
• support
• utilize
• verify
  

Midtown Palo Alto

Midtown Mid-block Crossing
Originally uploaded by gojanelin

"Midtown" on Middlefield Road in Palo Alto is a convenient place that is located on a busy street. It is still in the category of "auto"-serving, but there are some important differences that make it nicer for pedestrians along the core 2 blocks of neighborhood serving retail. The services offered include a grocery store, 2 drug stores, a small hardware store, an ATM (the bank turned into something else), a great local coffee shop, an ice cream shop, and dry cleaners. Middlefield is a busy street, consistently 2 lanes in each direction but it narrows through this stretch. There are also mid-block crossings that allow people to cross. The frontage include setbacks for shaded outdoor eating.

Willow Glen, San Jose

Willow Glen, San Jose
Originally uploaded by gojanelin

Lincoln Avenue was formerly a street served by a streetcar. Today, “downtown” Willow Glen, on Lincoln Avenue in San Jose thrives as a main street that is 4 lanes wide. The existing urban development pattern along Lincoln retained many elements of walkability from its streetcar days: the stores on Lincoln are close to one another, storefronts are narrow, 1-3 story buildings frame the street, shared parking lots are located behind the stores, alleys and paths through the back of stores allow multiple ways to access the main street, sidewalks are wide, and crosswalks make it easier for shoppers to get from one side to the other. There are also many opportunities to sit; landscaping is mature and appropriately scaled. Pedestrians feel safe in Willow Glen and vehicular traffic moves without too much burden on two lanes in each direction.

Under the Transbay Terminal

Under the Transbay Terminal
Originally uploaded by gojanelin

This would be a pretty dismal space, it is underneath the Transbay Terminal. But with these lights, a public art installation, it becomes a more inviting place. The whole facility will be redone (timeline may stretch, a little) with a design determined by competition. This underpass is a major gateway to the city, with many vehicles traveling from the first exit off the Bay Bridge (Fremont Street exit). This is a major casual commute drop-off, and many pedestrians pass under it every morning. It's a surprise and a delight, and it gives the impression that it may not smell like pee anymore...

Oakland Footpaths

Which path?
Originally uploaded by Hitchster

I have recently joined a group called WOBO (Walk Oakland - Bike Oakland), and just today I went on my second outing to document footpaths. The Oakland Urban Paths project is mainly to bring to light the conditions of footpaths throughout Oakland. There are footpaths all over the East Bay. These wonderful, surprises of connectivity have fans from Berkeley to Oakland.