Parking in Waterloo Region

[danbrotherston]

Probably true, but I don't think it's because car drivers have some insight others don't.

Likewise, neither do people who don’t have a car or who hate cars/don’t drive.

True.

The only ones who do have objective data about whether there is parking is those who have measured that data.

It's not about being right or wrong, it's about having the data, that's how we can make decisions that are effective.  Evidence based policy is so important.  The City of Waterloo and the City of Kitchener have both spent immense amounts of money building more parking in the cores.  Yet we still get complaints about not enough parking.  Because the evidence shows that there is no lack of parking, spending even more money to build even more parking is not likely to change those complaints.  So without the data to show what the problem is, we will continue to waste money.  Understanding what the problem is could help solve the problem.

When it comes to parking specifically, I highly recommend reading one of Donald Shoup's books, they are incredibly informative.

For example, he recommends pricing curb parking (the most valuable parking) at a price such that 1-2 spaces are open on every block.  This ensures that there is always parking available for those looking.  Which means the perception that "there is no parking" will disappear.  Shoup provides strong evidence that this policy is a far better solution to lack of parking than more parking.

I personally think, but don't have evidence to show right now, that the main problem with parking uptown is that everyone knows about one parking lot, goes there, finds it (nearly) full, and declares, there's no parking in uptown...when in fact there are many other parking lots with lots of available spaces.  Thus, better signage and communication is the solution--but before spending money on that, we should try to evaluate if my beliefs are correct.