How Do You Deal With Too Much Parking?

It’s a conundrum facing many Cities. How do you get 85% occupancy when there are less than 60% of all spaces actually being used?

How do you control parking when there aren’t enough vehicles to get past?

The answer is to break the city into zones and manage the parking occupancy in the zone separately, then set a wider ‘working’ occupancy goal of about 60% to 85%. Don’t use too narrow a ‘band’ around the 85% target, as it’s almost impossible to achieve at this stage where there is a lot of vacancy. Zone management then gives you the ability to relocate vehicles around the city by pricing to affect the local activity level in that local zone, for the purpose of maximising the utilisation of the parking resource. You may be able to offer higher prices where there is a PT choice (by removing supply), higher prices where there is over-use such as on the western edge of the Christchurch CBD today. You can also start to remove spaces for the purposes of better landscaping or other mode changes.

We also know that we need to create and administer an operational system that will be flexible enough, over time, to deal with the current situation where there is too much supply; then change to a system where the developments have occurred and we have a under-supply.

The final step if you like, is where the city is fully back to normal and congestion is occurring and mode shift needs a bit of a boost, as most cities require a mode shift in their transport plans these days. To get the required mode shift, we may need to put in the plans that a desire that public car parks are all managed to a guide of 85% but also private car park resources (don’t know how to enforce it yet) are also managed to 85%. That will see a large reduction in extra car parks, the combining of car parks by neighbours and the use of car parks for other uses.

Rest smart parking lot management systems can help in the parking management a lot. Such systems can make your efforts less and can manage to park easily.

Issues With Apartment Parking

Even the best apartment owners have to deal with this problem, which is pretty difficult to solve. So how can the resident cope with this problem? Though apartment parking can be a very difficult problem to address, there still are ways for people to deal with this problem. If you are one of these people facing the problem of apartment parking space, here are some tips for you. One thing you may want to do is to bring up the issue with the apartment manager. If you do not think that you can convince the apartment manager to help you solve your problem, try asking your neighbors if they are also having a similar problem with apartment parking. If they do, they can also bring up the issue. If the apartment manager sees this as a growing problem, he or she just might come up with some solution. Don’t be afraid to propose something yourself as well.

One thing you may want to have is some sort of resident parking system. Have it planned out with your neighbors and the apartment community manager to come up with an effective parking system. Do not think that once the new system is approved it will easily be implemented and followed. These things take time to really be implemented. As the residents all get more aware with the new parking system, you can slowly adjust to the system and the parking problem will be no more.

When there are problems regarding some other person always taking your parking space assigned especially to you, you may want to leave a note in that person’s car. Make sure to make it a friendly note just to inform the person of the parking system being established. For all you know, the offender is just not aware of the parking system. If the problem persists, bring up the issue with your apartment manager.

One other thing that you can do which may seem a little extreme but very beneficial for you is get rid of your car and commute or find other alternatives. You do not have to get overly dependent on a vehicle to bring you wherever you need to go. In other cases, you could get a motorbike, instead, which is way easier to park. If you want to get more exercise and cutoff on motor or auto fees, you can get a bicycle. This can be a good alternative, especially if your work isn’t too far away from your apartment. In times of bad weather, you can always take a cab or ride the bus and if you are good friends with your neighbors, you can maybe ask to ride with them, every once in awhile.

Overall, remember that as a resident of a particular apartment, you have the right to your own parking space. With that, do what you can with your apartment community manager to come up with some certain agreement that will grant you your own parking space. Have a meeting with all apartment residents involved so that everyone is given an equal right to parking space. If all goes well then you will no longer have a problem with apartment parking.

How to Start a Valet Business

So you’re starting a valet service. You founded your company, got insured and even booked your first account…now what? You better get some parking equipment! Below is a basic checklist for all the parking supplies you might need to start your new business off on the right foot.

Valet Podium – As a valet company, your job is to make a lasting impression. A nice looking valet podium will give you a professional appearance and help you store and organize keys quickly and securely. You may also want to consider an umbrella to compliment your podium and a podium cover for protection during storage. In some cases a metal or wood key box might be all you need to store your customer’s keys securely.

Marquee Signs – Signage is a great way to direct traffic and guide your customers so they know exactly where to go. Sign holders and Marquee Stands are great tools for directing traffic. You can also mount signage to your podium to advertise rates or your company logo. Having a few signs to direct traffic or advertise rates to your customers will add to the professionalism of your valet operation.

Valet Tickets – Valet tickets are essential to running a valet operation smoothly. Typically a valet ticket either has 3, 4 or 5 parts to it. Make sure you have the ticket that suits your location best. Custom tickets with your company logo can be a nice extra touch.

Radios – For larger operations it may make sense to invest in a few two way radios for your team. This will keep your team working as a cohesive unit and can improve your team’s customer service.

Parking Equipment – Other equipment to consider that can help your operation flow smoothly include parking cones, delineators, LED wands, and traffic vests.

By making an investment in some or all of these items, you are setting yourself up for success in the valet industry. You can also use valet parking software system to manage your parking lot. Just be sure to consider buying certain items in bulk as you continue to scale your business and expand to new locations.

Once you’ve covered this checklist, your valets will be prepared to impress.

For the best selection of parking equipment, custom marquee signs, and valet podiums head over to The Valet Spot, the #1 provider of valet equipment on the internet.

Promoting an Airport Parking Business Using Flyers

Whether you offer long-term and short-term parking or only valet parking services, one thing remains crucial; you need to have a steady stream of clients to keep your business alive. For this, you have to constantly build awareness among your target market. Flyer prints are one of the tools that you can use to promote your business and let people know about the parking services that you offer. These prints are very versatile because you can distribute them in many ways. They can also be designed just about anyway you want. With compelling designs, consistent campaign and proper distribution; your flyer marketing will serve as the anchor to keep those clients coming.

Tips on Using Flyers to Advertise Airport Parking

o Use strong headlines. You only have a second or two to catch the attention of your readers. It is, therefore, important to create a headline that will instantly hook the reader to the flyer. Your headline must answer the “what can you offer?” question. Catchy lines like “Park with us. We’ll take care of the rest” or “Safe parking, always” are great for your airport parking flyers as well. Be sure to include images or graphics that match your headline.

o Tell your readers what they can get from your business. Your prospective clients are interested in knowing the benefits that they can get from your parking services. For example, you are offering valet parking. Tell your readers that they don’t have to worry about looking for parking space because your staff will take care of it; they just have to hand over the keys. You should also briefly tell your readers about the safety and the facilities that your parking lot have.

o Keep it clear and concise. As much as you want to maximize the space on your copy, it is advisable that you keep it clear and concise. Don’t cram your prints with so many information as this will just confuse your readers. Keep your prints focused and with a single topic as much as possible. For example, if your prints are about valet parking; the whole copy should be all about valet airport parking.

o Give an irresistible offer. Just like a strong headline, discounts and freebies can easily catch the attention of the readers. Don’t pass out on the opportunity to keep your readers interested using enticing discounts and promotional offers. Your prints can simply say “20% off on early bird parking” or “$2 off every day for 14-day parking.” You can also include a tear-off portion in your flyer that will serve as coupons. They can use such coupons to redeem discount offers or freebies.

o Be consistent. Once you have sent out your flyers, don’t just stop there. Have a follow up campaign every month or two. Regularly send your airport parking flyers so that your readers will be constantly reminded of your business. You can send prints with different focus. For example, you can send copies about your valet parking services on the first month. Then, about your long-term parking on the next and about your short-term parking services after that.

o Distribute your copies right. The compelling design of your flyers will be for nothing if you don’t distribute your copies correctly. You have to make sure that your prints are reaching the right audience. Handing out your copies to people coming to and from the airport is a good one. You can also send copies of your prints to business entities with employees frequently traveling for business deals and appointments.

These are just few tips that you can use in order to have a successful flyer marketing campaign for your airport parking. Combine these tips with your creativity and you’ve got yourself a versatile tool in getting people to use your parking services.

Solving Problems With Your Parking Space

Have you ever come home from work and either your gate is block, or there is someone else in your parking space? If you have then you will know that it is extremely frustrating.

It seems like a minimal problem, but when you have worked hard all day and you just want to park and relax at home, then its a massive issue, especially if you have to park miles away and then walk home.

Parking further away from home has connotations if you live in a high crime area because your car is more likely to get stolen; the further away its parked. It is less likely to get stolen or broken into if it is sitting on your path, or outside your house.

Therefore, problems with parking can become a lot more serious and you should read on for tips about how to deal with the problem.

Tourists

If you live in an area that is popular with tourists, you might find that they are parking in the suburban areas because they don’t want to pay for public parking.

If there are no signs up to show that the area is for residents only, then they won’t know that they are causing trouble by parking in residential areas. Therefore, you should ask your local council if you have a resident parking only sign on your street. If a tourist sees the sign, they will not park there.

However, the sign has to have a call to action on it. If the sign just says no parking, then tourists are likely to park there anyway. But, if the sign says that they are clamped, or find, and then they will not park there.

Your council should have no problem having restricted parking in your area because it will drive tourists back to the public parking lots and the council will make more money. It is a situation that will benefit everyone.

Neighbours

If you have a problem with the neighbours parking in your space, or across your gate, then you can talk to them and ask them not to. You have to make sure that you are friendly here because you don’t want friction between you and the neighbours. You do have to live with them and if they have a problem with you, then being at home can become very stressful.

They might not even know that they are causing you a problem and it might just be that they are only parking there because someone else is in their space. Then you could join and stop the person parking in their space.

Parking Barrier

If nothing that you have done so far, has worked, then you have no option but to install a parking barrier in your space. This will definitely stop people from parking where you usually park.

If you rent the property, then you have to make sure that you have permission off your landlord, before you install the barrier. If the space is part of your rental agreement, then the landlord will definitely sign a permission document.

If you own the property and the land where the space is, then you don’t need permission off anyone. You can also use parking garage management software to make your efforts less. But, if the council owns the space, then you will have to ask for permission even though you are a house owner. This is especially true if you are parking on a public road. However, once you have the barrier, all parking issues will stop and you won’t experience stress anymore.

The Various Ways Of Addressing Parking Problems

A parking situation is inevitable for every drive taken in a motorized vehicle. When you decide to travel and finally reach your destination you can be certain of the parking issues you will be facing. Parking can be public or private. Parking issues are particularly glaring in huge cities and big towns because of the supply demand ratio that may cause issues for the people who provide space, for the people driving or sometimes for both the parties.

Solutions for parking issues can be provided because it is not something that is completely impossible. Here are a few solutions that are worth considering.

Increase of supply

The thing that immediately pops up when you look for a solution to this problem is to increase the supply of parking. Any property manager or developer, governments and business should consider building more parking facilities. However, this has its cons too, because the more the availability of space the more vehicles and overcrowding.

Increase parking requirements

The demand can go down considerably when there is an increase in minimum requirements. Zoning for example is very common. This is easy to implement however comes with a downside of increasing costs for the developers.

On-street parking facilities

Though this method is convenient and works out less expensive it also has a major disadvantage which is the presence of provision ceilings and parallel parking which can lead to crashes for motorists. Increasing on-street parking leads to the government having lesser restrictions. They do have limits on the number of parking spaces that can be created.

Making off-street parking less expensive

This way parking is made cheaper thereby promoting driving instead of choosing public transport.

Overflow facilities addition

Having a fall back option or alternate parking facilities only for times when the normal parking lots are over flooding is another option to be considered. This usually happens when there are public events or functions going.

Increasing spaces in the preexisting areas

The unused spaces can be redone to make them usable and specific spaces can be created for smaller cars.

Use of technology

If it can be afforded then lifts and elevators are saviors otherwise they are very expensive. Using the hydraulic car parking mechanism is also a good solution for people who would be able to bear the costs.

Though these solutions are not all there is they are worth considering for the start. Vehicle owners and drivers along with space providers can look into various options and choose the one most suitable. You can also use software for parking management as there are number of parking software are available online.

Every city has a different issue when coming to parking spaces. Cheapest parking Chicago has the best options for your needs. Choose parking downtown Chicago and be benefited.

The Advantages of Airport Car Parking

Everyone likes to visit family and friends during holidays. It is great that air companies offer cheap deals for your holidays at beautiful islands and tourist places. More and more people are travelling by air and thus airport car parking business has experienced a big boom. Almost all airports now offer car parking services. You have option to book in advance by call or online. You have plenty of other options to choose from, short-term or long term parking, meet & greet service and even hotel and parking option for your convenience. The benefits are not limited to only having the comfort of driving your own car but there are also other great advantages.

1) Book online for great savings

It is a general belief that airport parking is an expensive luxury but its not if you plan ahead and book online. You can save big money by pouncing on a great deal and spend the saved money on your holiday recreation. There are different deals and you can save up to 60%.

2) Book in advance

Book in advance is always a good idea as it surely saves your time and money. You don’t have to be worried about parking when you arrive at your chosen airport.

3) Safe and secure parking

Either you are at your holiday or business trip, you have liberty to choose parking, short-term or long-term, depending on the length of your visit. Airport car parking is the safest place for your vehicle to reside because car parking is monitored with security cameras, ensuring your car is safe and sound.

4) Meet and Greet

Meet and Greet is a superb service allowing you lavishness of driving up to the terminal where a driver will be ready for you who will drive and park your car on your behalf. The same way you will meet your car when you arrive back at airport. You have to pay a little extra but you find the convenience of time and transport at your footstep. This is a great service for people who don’t bother or sometimes forget where they parked the car.

5) Airport Transfers

You will get a free courtesy service at the airport car parking where a bus will take you to the chosen terminal. Again this bus takes you to the car parking when you arrive back so you don’t have to be worried whilst they do the work.

6) Airport and Hotel packages

Air flights are many times inconvenient as you sometimes have to travel at early morning or very late at night, so why not take benefit of airport and hotel package that are on offer. Car parking and hotel deal is most of the time cheaper than alone the airport car parking deal. It is always wonderful to start your journey fresh that’s why it is advisable to stay in the hotel at night before your flight. .

Airport car parking is always a good choice as it saves your time and money and you don’t have to be worried about hiring a cab to reach your destination. You can use parking management solution apps if you are in parking business. It is the safest place for your car so plan ahead, book online and enjoy your holidays with your family.