Analysis: Self-Driving Cars Will Hit Cities in the Parking Revenue

Details of the parking and automobile-related revenue generated by the 25 largest cities in the United States reveals a wide range of potential effects arising from a future of self-driving cars.

1 minute read

July 15, 2018, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Parking

Franco Nadalin / Shutterstock

Governing has released the results of a survey of the 25 largest U.S cities "for revenues that could potentially be hindered by the proliferation of autonomous vehicles."

In all, cities took in a total of nearly $5 billion in fiscal year 2016 from parking-related activities, camera and traffic citations, gas taxes, towing, vehicle registration and licensing fees. That amounts to about $129 per capita for all 25 jurisdictions. The reported data, however, suggests the introduction of self-driving cars could have drastically different effects, with some cities experiencing far greater potential reductions in revenues than others.

As detailed in the article, the difference in how cities collect parking revenue will account for big discrepancies in the potential effect of self-driving cars. Parking fines, parking fee collections, and special parking taxes all figure into the equation. Still, it's likely that the $5 billion figure under reports the total revenue related to automobiles. Sales taxes related to automobile-related purchases and gas taxes are not figured into the survey.

The article presents the data in ten categories for all 25 large cities, as well as specific and detailed insight into parking and automobile-related revenue each of the 25 cities.

Friday, July 13, 2018 in Governing

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Interior of Place Versailles mall in Montreal, Canada.

Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units

Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.

May 22, 2025 - CBC

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 28, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and yellow DART light rail train in Dallas, Texas with brick building in background.

DARTSpace Platform Streamlines Dallas TOD Application Process

The Dallas transit agency hopes a shorter permitting timeline will boost transit-oriented development around rail stations.

May 28, 2025 - Mass Transit

A curb extension at the end of a block landscaped with small shrubs and pink flowers in residential neighborhood.

Nine Ways to Use Curb Space That Aren’t Parking

California’s new daylighting law bans parking within 20 feet of crosswalks. How can cities best use this space?

5 hours ago - CalBike

White accessory dwelling unit in backyard of small grey home in Seattle, Washington.

ADUs for Sale? San Diego Could Legalize Backyard Condos

As one of 25 proposed amendments, San Diego may soon allow accessory dwelling units to be bought and sold as individual homes.

7 hours ago - KPBS

View of mostly full parking lot next to multi-story red brick buildings with modern glass skyscraper in background in downtown Dallas, Texas.

Dallas Ditches Parking Minimums in 14-1 Vote

The sweeping city council decision removes set parking requirements from developments downtown, near transit, small businesses and more.

June 1 - Strong Towns

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.