Report: Transit Oriented Developments Have Way Too Much Parking

Smart Growth America surveyed five examples of transit oriented developments from around the country and found a common characteristics: all of the projects have way too much parking.

1 minute read

February 2, 2017, 9:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Los Angeles

Transit oriented developments like the one pictured here at Wilshire and Vermont in Los Angeles respond to a misguided priority on parking. | Google Street View

"Auto-centric standards and zoning requirements have led to too much parking being built around transit stations, leaving many parking spaces empty and wasting valuable land that could be better used," reports Katherine Shaver.

Shaver is sharing information from a new study released by Smart Growth America, titled "Empty Space: Real parking needs at five TODs."

The study examined five transit-oriented developments, in Washington, Los Angeles, Oakland, and near Seattle and Denver. None of the developments "generated enough parking to fill even half the number that planning industry standards would have suggested," explains Shaver. Moreover, "in some cases, about one-third of the parking spaces that would be recommended for a new development under industry standards were actually used, even at peak times."

Angie Schmitt also details the new report in a post for Streetsblog USA.

Wednesday, February 1, 2017 in The Washington Post

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

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

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.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Intersection in downtown Sacramento, California with neoclassical building with columns on left.

Sacramento Plans ‘Quick-Build’ Road Safety Projects

The city wants to accelerate small-scale safety improvements that use low-cost equipment to make an impact at dangerous intersections.

15 minutes ago - The Sacramento Bee

Wide roadway in Austin, Texas at night.

How Project Connect Would Change ‘The Drag’

A popular — and sometimes deadly — Austin road will exchange car lanes for light rail.

1 hour ago - The Daily Texan

Google Street View of wide roadway flanked by green trees in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Milwaukee Road to Get Complete Streets Upgrades

The city will reduce vehicle lanes and build a protected multi-use trail including bioswales and other water retention features on its ‘secret highway.’

2 hours ago - Urban Milwaukee