Less Parking Needed In Silicon Valley TODs

A graduate class in San Jose State's urban planning program surveyed parking lots at 12 housing developments by rail stations in Santa Clara County to see how well utilized they were and offer recommendations on parking codes.

1 minute read

July 11, 2011, 6:00 AM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


The report, authored by Prof. Eduardo C. Serafin, PE, AICP, and planner Justin Meek, concludes:

"Our research has shown that the surveyed TOD residential sites near

rail stations in Santa Clara County are over-parked. On average, only about 1.3 spaces are needed per unit in a residential TOD in Santa Clara County, compared to an existing average parking supply of 1.7 for the survey sites."

On average, 74% of the parking spaces in the lots surveyed were utilized. The projects were single-use residential developments, except one that had a small incidental retail component. The majority of the properties were multi-family rental housing, but some were for-sale units.

One of the purposes of the study was to compare the findings of TODs specific to more suburban Santa Clara County with a 2009 study by UC Berkeley Professor Robert Cervero who surveyed TODs in the East Bay of the Bay Area and Portland, OR.

Thanks to Shiloh Ballard

Tuesday, March 1, 2011 in Northern News-California APA

"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.

November 11, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A road in north eastern Nebraska with power lines on either side, and grassy fields.

Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity

Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.

November 6, 2026 - Grist

People walking and cycling on a street in Boston.

Study reveals best places in the U.S. for cycling, walking

New research from Streetlight Data examines bicycle and pedestrian miles per capita in the 100 largest U.S. cities by population.

November 8, 2026 - Smart Cities Dive

Mark, an older white man in a blue jacket, smiles in front of a plaque that commemorates his scholarship.

Federal government nominates new FTA administrator

Mark Aesch is currently the founder and CEO of a transportation management consulting firm.

November 13 - Mass Transit

A rendering of people walking through a park to the chicago bears stadium, which is large and dome shaped.

Developers reveal $10 billion stadium plan as ‘Hail Mary’ to keep Bears in Chicago

The plan would also boast a public park, high- and mid-rise buildings and a youth sports complex.

November 13 - Chicago Sun Times

People watch as carbon dioxide is vented during a safety demonstration outside Nome City Hall in Jefferson Co.

As Texas embraces carbon storage, a Black community questions the risks

Texas now issues permits for companies to store carbon dioxide underground. East Texas residents fear safety risks, and skeptics doubt the climate benefits.

November 13 - Texas Tribune

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.