Parking Permit Demonstration Project in Santa Cruz, California

Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference Centerhttps://doi.org/10.21949/15270241984PDFTech ReportRhyner, GeorgeWebb, PeterCrain & AssociatesJohn A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)United States. Urban Mass Transportation AdministrationUnited States. Urban Mass Transportation AdministrationCaliforniaPark and rideParking regulationsPay parkingRecreational facilitiesRegulationsRevenuesShuttle busesTraffic restraintDemonstration projectsUMTA-CA-06-0129-84-1;DOT-TSC-UMTA-84-9This report presents the results of a parking demonstration operated by the County of Santa Cruz, California and funded by the Urban Mass Transportation Administration. Under the project, on-street parking in portions of the residential area near the beaches required a permit. Area residents were given a limited number of free permits and allowed to purchase further permits for additional vehicles that they owned at a low fee. Non-resident permits were priced considerably higher to reduce the high level of traffic congestion and high occupancy rate in the on-street parking spaces prior to the demonstration. As an alternative during the first year of the demonstration, a free park-and-ride shuttle system was operated with standard 45' transit vehicles used to transport beach users from outlying parking lots to the beaches. The service was not offered during the second season of operation due to poor ridership. This report assesses the demand for each of the project elements and the effect of the project of local parking and traffic conditions. It also assesses the financial self-sufficiency of the project. Finally, it gives results from this demonstration that may be applicable to similar projects conducted elsewhere.138