The automobile has become, and is likely to remain, the predominant method of personal transportation into the 21st century. In urban areas, people use their cars when public transit does not offer them the flexibility, convenience, security and load carrying capacity provided by the automobile. For this reason, parking is a critical component of our transportation infrastructure because automobile parking is to the business community what airports are to the airline industry - essential terminal facilites. However, in the interests of promoting public transit and reducting traffic congestion and resulting atmospheric pollution, parking cannot be allowed to occur at random. It must be regulated and regulated and operated in a manner similar to that of public roads and highways. This calls for a strategic plan governing parking as an integral and major element of a region's transportation system. (A)
Samenvatting