Core
After emergency responders, accessible parking spaces are the highest priority occupants of static curb space. At a minimum, entities should have widespread, strategically located accessible parking spaces available for those in need. With the advent of new technologies, real-time reservation systems can be deployed to optimize curb space use while meeting the demand for accessible parking spaces.
World Class programs use a system to provide dynamic, reservation-based accessible parking spaces for all motor vehicles, including connected autonomous vehicles. This system expands and contracts based on the accessible parking needs, ensuring adequate space when demand exists.
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Accessible parking spaces
modal prioritization
Modal Prioritization entails establishing default and street specific modal priorities for managing curb space. Fairly allocating space to the competing demands requires (1) an entity-wide default modal priority and (2) a process for prioritizing curb space at specific sites and as part of project planning and daily operations. The site / project level prioritization should reflect the street’s modal priority (curb running bike or transit lanes, commercial loading demands, etc.), tenant needs, and curb users’ docking / parking desires.
World class programs’ curb spaces function as part of the Complete Streets network, reflecting the modal priority of the streets and tenant desires, as well as ensuring equitable access for all users. The program changes its modal priorities based upon real time use and context, balancing commercial loading needs, traditional parking, curb running travel (transit, bike, peak period general purpose) lanes, and shared mobility modes.
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Complementing the critical need for an organizational structure that integrates planning, design, operations, and maintenance of curb space, this element addresses the policies associated with reviewing land development applications and other relevant entity functions such as project planning. In both cases, current best practice guidance does not include policy direction for curbside operations. The detailed allocation of curb space routinely is inherited later by the parking authority or curbside management program.
World class entities include curb space managers in the respective plan reviews, and set policies that align the curb space allocations with the modal priority of the street and values of the community.
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Land Development Review & Other Relevant Entity Functions
Sustainability
As entities move from traditional parking authorities to progressive curbside management programs the practices should align with broader goals of urban sustainability. This goal ties directly to the critical curbside management element Measuring Success.
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World Class entities possess a jurisdiction-wide sustainability plan and connect the modal and pricing prioritization hierarchy to the plan.
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Equity
It is vital that all entities embrace the importance of reassessing their transportation system to prioritize service to disadvantaged communities. Our industry has crafted several examples of policies to address equity in transportation service. Now we must transition from policy to effective implementation. The equity portion of our website provides examples of progress in this area here.
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As entities move towards implementing equity initiatives, ensuring access for users of all abilities must be integrated into managing curb space. With consistently evolving competing demands of the curb space, progressive pricing strategies and prioritization techniques must be viewed with an “equity lens.” Disadvantaged community members rely greatly on non-automobile modes of transport to essential services, emphasizing the need for priority access.
World class curbside management programs possess policies and implementation steps to prioritize curb space access for disadvantaged communities. The programs also balance access for users of all abilities with progressive pricing strategies to manage competing demands.
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