SMRrTPARKs are intercept parking facilities designed and operated specifically to maximize the benefits and opportunities created by a SMRrTRAM "horizontal elevator".

SMRrTPARKs have three fundemental goals:

1. To make it actually more convenient for daily visitors to park at the edge of a congested core than it is for them to drive into the core itself to find a close-in parking space.
   
   
2. To encourage SMRrTRAM ridership by enabling customers to pay a discounted parking fee when they purchase a combined SMRrTFARE card.
   
   
3. To enable urban core areas to reduce traffic congestion by creating an optimized mix between (a) daily visitor parking (b) curbside delivery/short-term errand parking, and (c) designated permit-parking for local business owners, employees, residents and other stakeholders.

GOAL NO. 1: Intercept Parking that really Intercepts

For “intercept parking” to work well, it must achieve a convenience level that makes it a preferred parking choice. SMRrTPARK (for the first time in most urban settings) makes this possible. Here's how:

• SMRrTRAM Connection: The most important SMRrTPARK feature is that at least one STOP in the SMRrTRAM "horizontal elevator" system is integrated with the Intercept parking facility. Instead of waiting ten or fifteen minutes for a “shuttle-bus” (that’s probably stuck in traffic) SMRrTPARK users can step onto a SMRrTRAM--with consistent dependability--every 150 seconds.

• Arterial Road Connection: To the extent possible, SMRrTPARK facilities are located adjacent to major arterial road systems. Ideally, there would actually be direct access from the arterial system into the SMRrTPARK. In other words, daily visitors would be able to access a parking space with minimum incursion into the congested local street grid.

• Space Finder and other Parking Enhancement Technologies: SMRrTPARKs may be multi-level structures, surface lots, or facilities with high-density stacking technologies. In each case, however, the SMRrTPARK would integrate state-of-art information and way-finding systems making the parking experience both convenient and pleasant.

• Related Services and Merchandising: This is one of the most logical and exciting possibilities: where appropriate, SMRrTPARK facilities are combined with auto-related and “convenience” services and merchandising. Cars can be serviced, fueled, washed and detailed, for example, while their owners are shopping, studying or working. Dry-cleaning, pharmacies, convenience stores, even grocery stores, are all logical partners with a SMRrTPARK facility.

Integrating these strategies means that for many categories of daily visitors, SMRrTPARK will actually feel like a more convenient choice than driving into a congested core to find a “close-in” parking space. Once this convenience is experienced, human nature will rapidly transform SMRrTPARK into a preferred parking venue for daily visitors. (To take a tour of a SMRrTPARK experience, download the article "The Next One-Stop-Shopping Wonder...May Be Your Own Downtown!" at our bookstore/library.)

GOAL NO. 2: Encourage SMRrTRAM Ridership

Upon entering SMRrTPARK, a user is encouraged to ride SMRrTRAM by the offer of a combined PARK&RIDE farecard by the Automated Payment System. The SMRrTFARE card provides both a discounted parking and SMRrTRAM ridership fee based on the level of purchases the user makes while parked. If the dollar value of purchases reaches a certain level, both the SMRrTPARK space and SMRrTRAM rides could be free.

A single transaction, then, pays for both parking and unlimited SMRrTRAM rides. The SMRrTFARE card also functions as a Customer Loyalty card. The Customer Loyalty feature entitles the holder to special discounts and promotional offerings by participating businesses along the SMRrTRAM alignment. This combined SMRrTFARE incentive program, then, not only encourages people to use the "horizontal elevator" to extend their pedestrian access distance from the SMRrTPARK location, it also encourages them to make additional transactions within the market. Integrating SMRrTPARK, SMRrTRAM and the SMRrTFARE card/customer-loyalty network creates what we call a SMRrTOWN Overlay.

Goal No. 3: Creating an Optimized Parking Mix

Eliminating the need and pressure for daily visitors to use close-in parking enables congested core areas to implement parking management plans that will dramatically increase productivity, convenience, and quality-of-life for every category of user. Close-in parking areas and facilities that previously had to be reserved for hourly and daily customers can now be directed to other strategic purposes, such as:

• Short-term errands and deliveries: Virtually all curbside parking can be made available exclusively for 15 minute errand parking and deliveries. This makes the Pedestrian Mobility Market zone more convenient for everyone. It will also provide support for many kinds of activities or businesses that rely on ample, close-in, short-term parking (a drug-store or a day-care center, for example.)

• Permit-parking for local stakeholders: Many business owners and key employees need convenient access to their cars to conduct daily business. Providing adequate, close-in parking spaces that can be leased or assigned on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis (a) supports business productivity and (b) creates a convenience factor that will attract new businesses to the market zone.

• Private parking for local residents: Pedestrian Mobility Markets, ideally, will include substantial residential communities. This enhances the mix of businesses and services within the market, and makes it more attractive to visitors. The attractiveness of townhomes is tarnished when the residents and their visitors have to compete with business customers and employees for the on-street parking. A SMRrTPARK management strategy makes it easier to set aside and enforce exclusive residential parking streets.

• Green space and Pocket-parks: Many of the on-grade parking lots in congested core areas could be converted to green space and pocket-parks. In addition to eliminating the glitter and glare created by these lots, these pocket-parks will significantly enhance the quality of the streetscape and pedestrian experience.

• More retail, business and entertainment venues: Finally, many of the on-grade parking lots, and structured parking facilities in congested core areas could be replaced with new business or institutional uses that expand employment opportunities and enrich the activity mix within the Market zone.

Increased Parking Capacity and Reduced Congestion!

Combining SMRrTPARK strategies with a SMRrTRAM "horizontal elevator" can offer an effective, real solution to the endemic problems of traffic congestion and parking shortages that have long restrained the vitality and livability of urban centers. SMRrTPARK strategies are one of the key components of the SMRrTOWN Overlay--and integrated economic and community development infrastructure that can be demonstrated to be self-financing!