The High Cost of Free Parking.... or an issue you will never think about unless you watch this video

[BrentWil]

Run time: 06:50 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVteHncimV0   Posted on YouTube: November 09, 2010 By YouTube Member: ReasonTV Views on YouTube: 306   Posted on DU: November 10, 2010 By DU Member: BrentWil Views on DU: 853

 
This is something I never thought about until I watched this video. I encourage you to watch it all the way.

[tblue37]

1. Would you please summarize for us deafies? nt

[rfranklin]

2. "Free parking" is not free... it is paid for in many other transactions...

The professor is pointing out that cheap parking causes people to cruise around needlessly adding polluting miles looking for a space. If a high enough parking fee is charged, spaces will be open on every block and eliminate a lot of the cruising. He talks about one community where the merchants fought against parking meters but all the spaces were being used by employees of the stores. When the city finally said that the money collected would be applied to services for the surrounding area, the merchants were all for it and even wanted to extend the hours during which the meters were active.

The professor at the beginning also noted that 95% of the time cars are parked and he is one of the few academics in the world who actually concern themselves with parking while all the others are focusing on what happens when cars are on the move.

[BrentWil]

3. THanks... good summery

Basically, free/cheap parking provides an economic rational to drive more. It cost us a ton in tax money and pollution.

[tblue37]

4. Thanks! Excellent summary! nt

[Lordquinton]

5. interesting video

However, like a lot of economical arguments, it doesn't take into account the people who have to pay for it. Like increased bridge tolls, and sales taxes, it comes down to the people who can't really afford to pay that extra little bit they ask, because we're asked to pay just a little more in every aspect of our lives.

Note, I do not drive, nor do I have a license.

[BrentWil]

6. It still comes down to the fact...

That if you want to discourage certain activities and social costs, incentives do matter. This economic cost does encourage people to drive more and thus discourages public transit, for example. I do not discount the cost that people have to pay, but would point out that making people pay market price on city parking does encourage driving, especially into a city.

[Fruittree]

9. Also does it take into account that parking in malls is always free

so that if you charge parking fees in the downtown area (as they do in my town) it discourages people from going there but it does nothing to discourage driving to the mall. Also, it's pretty rural here once you get out of the main area so public transportation isn't really a good option. I agree with you, that it also places an unfair burden on those who can least afford to pay especially if the meter runs out and you're left with a huge parking ticket.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

7. He is right

[Charleston Chew]

8. Fight the Future!

Down with private automobiles in urban areas!

[BrentWil]

10. Or at least less of them.