Parking is one of those aspects in transportation that as soon as we get into the car we start thinking about. Parking can come at very high costs, not only financially but mentally, at times it can dictate whether or not we decide to go to a place or not. Which in turn can be detrimental to the local economy. We start asking questions surrounding how accessible it is to park in certain areas of the city. The city of Portland has suffered from a lack of parking space and lack of accessible public transportation. Southeast Portland is one of these areas that have been heavily affected by those two aspects previously mentioned. High demand in the neighborhood has increased the number of cars in the street. Rising rent rates have caused homeowners to lease by the bedroom, which means more people are in need of transportation or have a car in a confined space. Parking in Southeast Portland has found itself in need of solutions that immediately serve as a reaction to the current conditions of the local area. From a local perspective, resident involvement and output is needed to figure out solutions. Although the parking problem is more complex than just a “big” demand for cars to park, it also entails and connects to issues of affordable housing and infrastructure. Throughout the next couple of paragraphs, we will discuss potential solutions in the Southeast Portland area.
We’ve found out that the main causes for parking problems are due to poor planning, lack of public transportation, demand, and policies in place. David Krogh, a writer from the Oregonian writes that in the case of Southeast Portland a lack of public transit is a factor in the parking problem, most people don’t take the bus to go shopping (unless it is the last resort). The city of Portland does not require businesses along transit streets to provide on-site parking, visitors have to find parking on streets that are adjacent to residential areas. This creates issues between visitors and residents in the area. Krogh states that the 2035 comprehensive plan estimates a population growth of 120,000, which means there will be a higher number of cars in the streets. Moving forward the city of Portland has to look at the land use in the neighborhood, and plan towards the current demand. Increased density has influenced mix-use areas, which I personally think is great, but at the same time, such mix-use areas also need to provide space for visitors and businesses. We at times overlook how commuting can also have an impact on the area. As the city is planning forward, it had to take into account the planning of density development with adequate facilities. Government officials need to take time for community engagement and neighborhood meetings to figure out the next steps in the area. An improvement in public transit and the promotion of bike share is desperately needed. The streetcar and max barely scratch the surface of the neighborhood, an improvement in lines is a priority and can improve the local economy while tackling the parking problem.
In the article “A Survey of Smart Parking Solutions” by Trista Lin et al, it is explained that smart parking “is a way to help drivers find more efficiently satisfying parking spaces through information and communications technology” (Lin et Al). From an economic standpoint, smart parking is beneficial as it shortens the amount of parking search, reduces pollution, fuel consumption, and alleviates congestion. Through smart parking, drivers receive parking information, drive to their desired destination, and finally park. When a parking spot is already available and assigned to you, this reduces the competition for a parking space. In the case of the city of Portland, it would be a good idea to have a preliminary trial to see how people engage with the idea of smart parking. Smart parking also comes at a cost and it would be a big investment from the city to push for such a solution. Smart parking might be an innovative way to tackle the traffic problems in Southeast Portland using technology. The idea on paper is fascinating, but the idea on paper and the execution are two very different things. As “urban population and traffic congestion increase and the reducing land, smart parking becomes a strategic issue to work on, not only in the research field but also from economic interests” (Lin et al), as there are several benefits to incorporating technology in parking strategies.
By Manuel Suarez Pallas
Sources:
Lin, Trista, et al. “A Survey of Smart Parking Solutions.” IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems, vol. 18, no. 12, 2017, pp. 3229–3253.
https://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2015/03/portland_has_created_parking_p.html
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