Congestion management using parking strategies would be more politically palatable while delivering significant outcomes.

Jay Primus outlines a three-pronged approach for New York to tackle congestion through parking-related measures. The first part would prohibit monthly parking and instead require parking be offered in hourly increments, as a way to encourage people to think about each driving trip they make.
The second strategy, increasing the parking tax, would ease congestion and provide additional benefits, says Primus:
This is a straightforward, efficient and sensible way to gently discourage driving while helping to finance public transit improvements. As those with higher incomes are more likely to drive into the city, making parking cost a little more to subsidize public transit will improve equity.
The third part would require garages and lot operators to offer lower off-peak parking prices. This is another way to encourage drivers to consider their trips and shift their travel to off-peak hours, which would then spread vehicle travel out over time. This strategy, adds Primus, also is more politically acceptable:
The magic of this approach is that it is tantamount to a peak period surcharge but framed as an off-peak discount — no one (other than economists) likes peak period surcharges, but everyone loves a discount. The effect is the same but the political viability is crucially different.
Primus suggests that these strategies be used in conjunction with other congestion management tactics, including parking meter pricing, management of residential street parking, and transportation subsidies for employees instead of parking subsidies.
He also urges New York to adopt these strategies in order for it to be a leader in forward-thinking congestion management. “Cities are looking for ways to be smart — and this no-tech, no-cost, data-free and politically feasible approach to congestion management could be the smart way forward,” says Primus.
FULL STORY: A Better Way to Get New York’s Traffic Moving

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

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie