Background

The Countywide Transportation Plan identified the pressing need for better parking management at the neighborhood level through a range of potential strategies that include the study of neighborhood parking demand and supply, consideration of demand-based pricing and new meter technology, creation of neighborhood parking benefit districts and better enforcement of parking regulations.   

Project overview

The purpose of the On-Street Parking Management and Pricing Study is to review San Francisco’s existing on-street parking management programs and to investigate the potential for using innovative strategies such as pricing of on-street parking supply more widely as a transportation demand management tool to increase availability.  In this way, the City can increase the daily utilization and general availability of on-street parking in congested neighborhoods while also generating revenues to fund needed transportation improvements. 

Click here for the background fact sheet of the study.

Problem definition and background

 Why do San Francisco neighborhoods need better parking management?

• On-street parking availability is a concern for many neighborhoods.
• Parking policies are citywide, but individual neighborhoods have different types of parking demands.
• New technologies can provide parking pricing options while easing the parking experience with a range of payment methods.
• Severe parking conditions can lead to illegal parking behaviors such as double parking, non-compliance and other congestion related concerns.

Goals of the study

One of the main goals of the On-street Parking Management and Pricing Study is to limit traffic congestion and other impacts by reducing the number of vehicles circling neighborhoods streets searching for an available space.  This study will also  investigate strategies to promote the efficient use of on-street spaces while maintaining convenient curbside spaces for short-term uses in commercial areas (e.g. customers vs. employees).  Lastly, the study will seek neighborhood level parking solutions that are easy to understand.

Partner Agencies

• San Francisco County Transportation Authority
• San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency
  
  • Department of Parking and Traffic
• San Francisco Planning Department

study Contacts

Tilly Chang, SFCTA Deputy Director, (415) 522-4832

Lisa Young, SFCTA Senior Transportation Planner, (415) 522-4804