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Parking in ManhattanParking in Manhattan

Bonnie Wu, Naile Pelinkovic, Aaron Helgevold, William Carmody, Kevin Martinez

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Parking has always been a Parking has always been a problem for New York City problem for New York City residents. The abundance of residents. The abundance of people and their modes of people and their modes of transportation combined with transportation combined with the lack of space leads to a the lack of space leads to a major problem for many New major problem for many New York City residents and York City residents and commuters. This problem has commuters. This problem has been addressed many times been addressed many times in recent years through news in recent years through news reports and other publicity reports and other publicity forays, but the problem forays, but the problem remains. In our presentation remains. In our presentation we will concentrate on the we will concentrate on the parking issues in New York parking issues in New York City, with our major focus in City, with our major focus in the borough of Manhattan. the borough of Manhattan.

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A lack of parking for A lack of parking for commercial deliveries commercial deliveries and other tasks leads and other tasks leads to double-parking. to double-parking. This only further This only further congests New York’s congests New York’s already busy streets already busy streets and causes more and causes more parking and traffic parking and traffic difficulties.difficulties.

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Traffic “gridlock” often occurs on New York streets, not only Traffic “gridlock” often occurs on New York streets, not only because of the number of cars traveling somewhere, but because of the number of cars traveling somewhere, but also because of the number of cars that illegally park and also because of the number of cars that illegally park and end up congesting the streets. end up congesting the streets.

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Parking garages such as Parking garages such as this Icon garage can this Icon garage can charge incredibly high charge incredibly high prices for the convenience prices for the convenience of a safe and sheltered of a safe and sheltered parking space. parking space.

The high prices deter many The high prices deter many people from taking people from taking advantage of the open advantage of the open spaces underground and spaces underground and instead forces them to look instead forces them to look for cheaper parking on the for cheaper parking on the street. street.

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Not only has the lack of Not only has the lack of parking spaces caused parking spaces caused entrepreneurs to look below entrepreneurs to look below the city, but also to build the city, but also to build above current parking lots. above current parking lots. This picture of a parking lot in This picture of a parking lot in Lower Manhattan is a great Lower Manhattan is a great example. example.

Although generally less Although generally less

expensive than their expensive than their underground counterparts underground counterparts these facilities can still be too these facilities can still be too costly for many New Yorkers. costly for many New Yorkers. Not only has the lack of Not only has the lack of parking spaces caused parking spaces caused entrepreneurs to look below entrepreneurs to look below the city, but also to build the city, but also to build above current parking lots.above current parking lots.

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This is another example of the above ground parking This is another example of the above ground parking structures that are seemingly sprouting from the pavement structures that are seemingly sprouting from the pavement in many areas of Manhattan. As one can see parking at this in many areas of Manhattan. As one can see parking at this particular lot is over $8 per hour.particular lot is over $8 per hour.

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Dealing with the occasional Dealing with the occasional snow fall here in the snow fall here in the Northeast only adds to the Northeast only adds to the parking problems. Although, parking problems. Although, other cities have to deal other cities have to deal with snow fall, few others if with snow fall, few others if any are as congested as any are as congested as Manhattan. Also, because Manhattan. Also, because plows must be able to clear plows must be able to clear the streets, alternate side the streets, alternate side parking presents yet parking presents yet another problem. The another problem. The hassle of moving ones car hassle of moving ones car can be forgotten and could can be forgotten and could cause further traffic cause further traffic problems. problems.

PART 2:PART 2:

JUDGEJUDGE

Scarcity of ParkingScarcity of Parking

Parking in Manhattan is very Parking in Manhattan is very scarce because the area is scarce because the area is usually filled with double usually filled with double parked cars due to the parked cars due to the limited space of parking on limited space of parking on the streets. the streets.

Unlike Queens, Brooklyn, Unlike Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx and Staten Island Bronx and Staten Island where there are mostly where there are mostly privately owned houses that privately owned houses that have their own garages have their own garages Manhattan is mostly Manhattan is mostly apartment buildings with no apartment buildings with no private garages.private garages.

Public TransportationPublic Transportation

Public transportation is Public transportation is accessible to everyone, accessible to everyone, there is no need to worry there is no need to worry about finding a place to park about finding a place to park and it is usually a lot faster. and it is usually a lot faster.

Most people whom work in Most people whom work in Manhattan or even live in Manhattan or even live in Manhattan take public Manhattan take public transportation. transportation.

Over thousands of people Over thousands of people are taking the trains and are taking the trains and buses daily. That is reducing buses daily. That is reducing the number of cars coming the number of cars coming into the city on a daily basis. into the city on a daily basis.

GaragesGarages

There are many things There are many things that we noticed being that we noticed being done in regards to parking done in regards to parking in the Manhattan and in the Manhattan and solutions to double parked solutions to double parked cars. cars.

More and more garages More and more garages are being opened around are being opened around the citythe city

Manhattan has at least Manhattan has at least one garage within five one garage within five blocks radius. blocks radius.

Parking TicketsParking Tickets

The department of parking violations is The department of parking violations is taking measurements to make the parking taking measurements to make the parking and driving in the city easier by reducing and driving in the city easier by reducing the number of double parked cars by the number of double parked cars by issuing tickets. issuing tickets.

The price of a ticket today for a The price of a ticket today for a double parked car is $115, double parked car is $115, people are thinking twice now people are thinking twice now before leaving their car double before leaving their car double parked. parked.

Even the trucks that are doing Even the trucks that are doing deliveries are no longer allowed deliveries are no longer allowed to be double parked for more to be double parked for more than a few minutes.than a few minutes.

Challenges of ParkingChallenges of Parking

There are many There are many challenges on the issue challenges on the issue of parking in Manhattan. of parking in Manhattan.

Some challenges to this Some challenges to this procedure are that procedure are that police officers and police officers and firefighters are breaking firefighters are breaking the rules as well. They the rules as well. They are given parking are given parking passes that gives them passes that gives them the privilege of parking the privilege of parking anywhere. anywhere.

Those passes Those passes are being are being photocopied photocopied and given to and given to family and family and friends allowing friends allowing them as well to them as well to park anywhere park anywhere they please. they please.

Dignity of Human PersonDignity of Human Person

Emphasis on people over things.Emphasis on people over things.

People should be able to park without People should be able to park without walking a far distance.walking a far distance.

Dignity of WorkDignity of Work

Economy exists to serve people, not vice Economy exists to serve people, not vice versaversa

People shouldn’t have to spend their time People shouldn’t have to spend their time looking for parking spaces so that they looking for parking spaces so that they

can arrive to work on time.can arrive to work on time.

Promotion of Common GoodPromotion of Common Good

Freedom of individuals in balance with Freedom of individuals in balance with good of society, domestically and globallygood of society, domestically and globally

Everyone should be able to park, even Everyone should be able to park, even those who can’t afford to pay for parking those who can’t afford to pay for parking

garages.garages.

Rights and ResponsibilitiesRights and Responsibilities

Basic rights are respected and promotedBasic rights are respected and promoted

Everyone has the right to park their cars, Everyone has the right to park their cars, the government should be responsible to the government should be responsible to make sure that there is enough room to make sure that there is enough room to

do so.do so.

SolidaritySolidarity

Mutual obligations to promote rights and Mutual obligations to promote rights and developments of all peoplesdevelopments of all peoples

The community should work together to try The community should work together to try to solve parking problems.to solve parking problems.

Special Claim of Poor and Special Claim of Poor and Vulnerable PeopleVulnerable People

Those with greatest need require greatest Those with greatest need require greatest response; this builds a just societyresponse; this builds a just society

People such as the elders, should be able People such as the elders, should be able to walk a comfortable distance to their to walk a comfortable distance to their

destination. destination.

Difficulty Parking in Manhattan

Act

We have come up with three ways in which Manhattan can alleviate the current problems with parking.

-Increasing the use of public transportation

-Increase public parking

-Implement car sharing

We believe that the difficulties that arise in the use of public transportation and recent rises in fares have deterred many people from using the MTA.

-Buses do not always run on schedule.

-Maintenance delays on subways

-Increased fares for buses, subways, and the Long Island Railroad

Alleviating Bus ProblemsAlleviating Bus Problems It would not be cost-effective to It would not be cost-effective to

increase the number of buses and increase the number of buses and the problem would be best dealt with the problem would be best dealt with by updating bus delays at each stop.by updating bus delays at each stop.

Seattle has already implemented Seattle has already implemented technology by which riders can use technology by which riders can use cellular phones to track delays on cellular phones to track delays on any route number.any route number.

Through an internet company, Through an internet company, Mybus, Seattle has placed monitors Mybus, Seattle has placed monitors on city buses to report delays. on city buses to report delays.

We believe that by implementing this We believe that by implementing this system in New York we could system in New York we could increase the appeal of public increase the appeal of public transportation.transportation.

Computer readouts at city bus stops Computer readouts at city bus stops could relay to passengers could relay to passengers information pertaining to bus information pertaining to bus tardiness.tardiness.

Keeping passengers informed will Keeping passengers informed will diminish frustration due to ignorance diminish frustration due to ignorance of delaysof delays

Subway delaysSubway delays We feel that more commuters would be We feel that more commuters would be

adept to use the subway for transportation adept to use the subway for transportation to and from work if they were more to and from work if they were more informed of the scheduling. informed of the scheduling.

As with the suggested computer displays As with the suggested computer displays at bus stops, we feel incorporating a at bus stops, we feel incorporating a similar technology at subway stations similar technology at subway stations could increase the number of riders.could increase the number of riders.

The displays would inform riders of train The displays would inform riders of train arrivals and departures as well as arrivals and departures as well as maintenance delays and detours. maintenance delays and detours.

MTA FaresMTA Fares

By increasing rider ship through the By increasing rider ship through the suggested ideas we believe that future suggested ideas we believe that future fare hikes will not be necessary due to fare hikes will not be necessary due to increased revenue from new increased revenue from new passengers.passengers.

By implementing the suggestions we By implementing the suggestions we believe the fares for buses, the subway, believe the fares for buses, the subway, and the Long Island Railroad will be able and the Long Island Railroad will be able to be kept at steady prices for a long to be kept at steady prices for a long period of time.period of time.

Effects of MTA ReformEffects of MTA Reform

By increasing use of current public By increasing use of current public transportation, parking will be less of transportation, parking will be less of a problem in Manhattan because a problem in Manhattan because more commuters will be using MTA more commuters will be using MTA services from Long Island, New services from Long Island, New Jersey, and surrounding areas. This Jersey, and surrounding areas. This will alleviate the problem of parking will alleviate the problem of parking because less cars are on the roads.because less cars are on the roads.

Flexcar I-GO ProgramFlexcar I-GO Program

Started in 1999Started in 1999 Major programs in Major programs in

Seattle, Portland, Seattle, Portland, Washington D.C., Washington D.C., Los Angeles, San Los Angeles, San Diego, and ChicagoDiego, and Chicago

Smaller programs Smaller programs in various other in various other cities in the UScities in the US

The program is a The program is a way for city way for city residents to share residents to share cars through an cars through an online reservation online reservation systemsystem

How it worksHow it works

1) Members sign up for the program 1) Members sign up for the program and pay a one time registration fee of and pay a one time registration fee of $125 for a lifetime membership$125 for a lifetime membership

2) Members log onto website to reserve 2) Members log onto website to reserve one of the various vehicles offeredone of the various vehicles offered

3) Visit a local Flexcar parking garage 3) Visit a local Flexcar parking garage to pick up your reserved vehicle using to pick up your reserved vehicle using your Flexcar keycardyour Flexcar keycard

4) Constituents are then free to use 4) Constituents are then free to use the car at their leisure and return to the car at their leisure and return to the reserved parking spotthe reserved parking spot

5) Trip information is sent to Flexcar 5) Trip information is sent to Flexcar through wireless networking and through wireless networking and used to calculate a monthly billused to calculate a monthly bill

Cost BenefitsCost Benefits

Members can choose from a variety of Members can choose from a variety of plans in order to best suit their needs.plans in order to best suit their needs.

The plans are based both on hours used The plans are based both on hours used and miles driven.and miles driven.

Using the calculator on the company’s Using the calculator on the company’s website you can determine what a website you can determine what a monthly bill for your needs would be.monthly bill for your needs would be.

For a New York City resident living in For a New York City resident living in Jamaica, Queens and commuting to Jamaica, Queens and commuting to Manhattan daily the plan should cost Manhattan daily the plan should cost about $243 a month.about $243 a month.

Comparing this number to parking in Comparing this number to parking in Manhattan for the same time period we Manhattan for the same time period we found that it would cost $225.found that it would cost $225.

In this case it would seem that owning In this case it would seem that owning your car would be the better choice, but your car would be the better choice, but these numbers can be deceiving.these numbers can be deceiving.

In owning your own car you would In owning your own car you would also be responsible in paying for such also be responsible in paying for such things as gas, insurance and any things as gas, insurance and any maintenance costs in addition to the maintenance costs in addition to the parking fees.parking fees.

The Flexcar system price includes The Flexcar system price includes gasoline, reserved parking, insurance gasoline, reserved parking, insurance and twenty-four hour assistance .and twenty-four hour assistance .

When taking all of the costs into When taking all of the costs into account it is easy to see that the account it is easy to see that the Flexcar system is the more Flexcar system is the more economical choice.economical choice.

The wide selection of offered cars The wide selection of offered cars including hybrid models present a including hybrid models present a choice for any member.choice for any member.

The Flexcar SolutionThe Flexcar Solution

By implementing Flexcar’s I-GO By implementing Flexcar’s I-GO program, New York City can reduce program, New York City can reduce the number of automobiles per the number of automobiles per person. person.

This would in turn free up many This would in turn free up many parking spaces and reduce amount parking spaces and reduce amount of automobile generated air pollution of automobile generated air pollution in Manhattan and the surrounding in Manhattan and the surrounding areas. areas.

ConclusionConclusion

Through our suggestions we hope to Through our suggestions we hope to alleviate problems associated with alleviate problems associated with parking in Manhattan.parking in Manhattan.

We feel that our ideas will cut down We feel that our ideas will cut down on commuter traffic freeing up more on commuter traffic freeing up more parking spaces and reducing parking spaces and reducing pollution at the same time.pollution at the same time.