Could Parking Meters Solve Traffic Snafus Around Schools?

One blogger wonders if parking meters would help solve the morning and afternoon traffic jams by discouraging parents from driving their kids to school -- all the while lowering emissions and raising revenue for public education.

1 minute read

March 21, 2007, 1:00 PM PDT

By Christian Madera @http://www.twitter.com/cpmadera


Duane Laird, a contributor to AboutMyPlanet.com, suggests that putting parking meters around schools might just be the answer for not one, but many problems.

"Hawthorne Elementary, like all schools, has a problem with too many cars dropping off children. Some mornings it is a regular traffic jam, and it certainly isn't safe for the children who walk to school...

"Parking meters on school grounds, and on the streets adjacent to schools would solve not one, but four problems."

"First, they would assuage people's guilt about driving their children to school...Secondly, the money from the meters could be used to fund school activities...Thirdly, it would encourage bicycling and walking..."

Tuesday, March 20, 2007 in AboutMyPlanet.com

Young Professional

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 and Environmental 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 and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

5 hours ago - Zachary Whalen

Overlapping highways

The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin

People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.

September 8, 2026 - Benjamin Schneider

The Hoover Dam blocking the Colorado River. The river's water level is noticeably low. The cliffs surrounding the blue water are brown and jagged.

US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico

A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.

September 11, 2026 - The Arizona Republic

A cluster of wind turbines beneath a stormy sky, above a forest where the leaves are beginning to change colors.

5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project

Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.

1 hour ago - Inside Climate News

People boarding a bus on Maryland's Orange Route.

Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project

The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.

2 hours ago - Mass Transit

A brick building with a circular sign with the Airbnb logo hanging off of it.

Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin

The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.

3 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.