"Performance" Prices For D.C.'s Parking Meters?
http://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2011-05-11/performance-prices-dcs-parking-meters
We Americans love our cheap on-street parking, but it may not be good for us -- hunting for spaces can create both pollution and congestion. Some cities -- including Washington -- are testing a program that adjusts parking meter fees to manage demand. We explore what that means if you're looking for a parking place in D.C.
Guests
Donald Shoup
Professor of Urban Planning, UCLA; and author of "The High Cost of Free Parking" (American Planning Association)
Michael Perkins
Author, "Infosnack Headquarters"; Contributor, "Greater Greater Washington"
Karina Ricks
Associate Director for Planning, Policy and Sustainability, District of Columbia Department of Transportation
Comments
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A related issue is the security of parking garages. I will only park "in the open," whether on the street or in a lot. I will not enter a parking garage unless it has secured access and is for a particular venue, e.g., the Kennedy Center. So don't count on me to roam the street looking for a parking spot, or to park in a garage if on-street parking costs are outrageously high, I'll just go elsewhere.
Kojo I love your shows and thanks for the great job you do. I can't say the same for your guests today on this show since they seemed to be climbing over each othe in a rush to justify what is just another revenue enhancement scheme. I thought some of the double speak was hilarious and much was contradictory. Some of the contradictory statements were even made by the same guest within the same response. For exampe when someone on the panel claimed that doing this right would alleviate traffic problems and then a few seconds later alluded to the fact that handling parking this way would somehow reduce the flow of people looking for parking spaces. It seems to me quite the opposite would happen in that more people would be driving around looking for cheaper spaces to park under this type of scheme.
"So don't count on me to roam the street looking for a parking spot, or to park in a garage if on-street parking costs are outrageously high, I'll just go elsewhere."
Ok, sounds good. I mean, obviously the crushing demand for cheap parking is overwhelming, and the whole point of raising hourly rates is to dissuade some folks from parking during peak hours. So "I'll just go elsewhere" means it's working. In other words, you won't pay more than, what $2 / hour, right? I'd happily pay double that, especially if I can use a credit card or bill it to my phone. The fact that I'll actually be able to get a space now is just gravy.
Thank God it's starting to look like rational adults are finally taking charge in the city.
@pauloneill wrote:
"Some of the contradictory statements were even made by the same guest within the same response. For exampe when someone on the panel claimed that doing this right would alleviate traffic problems and then a few seconds later alluded to the fact that handling parking this way would somehow reduce the flow of people looking for parking spaces."
It's not clear to me how these two statements are "contradictory". A good portion of traffic at any given time is due to folks driving around looking for an open parking space on the street. If more spaces are available (which they will be with higher rates), then fewer people will be looking for parking spaces--either because they've been dissuaded from parking by the higher rates (as is the case with the previous commenter), or because those who would otherwise be driving around can now take advantage of the open spaces.
How is this even controversial? It's not even Econ 101--it's "Consumer Math for 5th Graders."
The "counter-argument" such as it is, seems to be "I want stuff; and I want it cheap!"
I'm curious how many folks who oppose this plan even live in the city.
Parking meters are good as they help in calculating exact time duration of parking.
furniture for goverment