Parking has an important role to play in controlling transport usage. Parking policy related to the supply and pricing of parking will influence drivers' ability to store their vehicles and move on to destinations. It can influence the usage of transport modes, congestion, the quality of the urban environment, and the location decisions of households and firms. Parking guidance systems can influence parking usage, route choice, and the efficiency of the traffic network. On-street parking provision will directly influence the capacity of roads and therefore the movement of traffic in urban and rural areas. Parking is fundamental to the performance of urban and transport systems. It can influence and is influenced by the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of cities and rural areas. To understand the interrelationship between parking and traffic control it is necessary to understand these influences. McShane and Meyer (1982) highlight the relationship between urban areas and parking strategy through a discussion of urban goals. They point to the role of parking in achieving the goals of a healthy economic climate; efficient use of the existing transportation, land use, and public resources; ease of mobility and accessibility of resources; equity of resource distribution and preferential allocation of some resources; environmental goals; and enhancing amenity. This chapter investigates traffic control within the context of the broad influence of parking on these urban goals. More specifically, it introduces parking management, parking information, on-street parking, and rural parking. A case study of Melbourne, Australia is used to illustrate parking policy's impact on urban goals.
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