(Washington, DC) The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has published a final rule to allow DDOT to designate reserved on-street parking for car-sharing vehicles (DC Register, 50 DCR 4744, May 20, 2005).
Car sharing allows people to use cars that are widely distributed throughout the District by paying for actual time and mileage along with a nominal membership fee. By reserving a limited number of curbside parking spaces for car-sharing vehicles, DDOT plans to expand public awareness and use of car-sharing vehicles.
Car-sharing, which has been in effect in the District for almost three years at private locations and on Metro property, is particularly useful for people who cannot afford a car and people who live in neighborhoods with serious parking congestion.
Currently, DDOT sets aside curbside space for taxicabs, hotel entrances, valet parking, loading zones, bus zones, residents and other public and private uses.
Public designation of curbside parking for car-sharing vehicles already takes place in a number of other jurisdictions including Portland, Seattle and Boston and Arlington, Virginia. Studies show that it is not unusual for a single car-sharing vehicle to serve six to 10 households. Thus, car-sharing reduces the demand for parking, decreasing traffic congestion, energy use and air pollution. It also encourages people to use alternative modes of transportation.
This rule was published as a proposed rulemaking in November 2004.
|