Demand-Based Parking Meter Rate Setting

What is Demand-Based Parking Meter Rate Setting?

Beginning in the Summer of 2017, the Parking Authority of Baltimore City started using the demand for parking spaces to determine the hourly parking meter rate on blocks in Central Downtown. Using data collected every six months, the Parking Authority will adjust rates to help create one or two available parking spaces on each block, making it easier for parkers to find parking downtown and spend more time enjoying Baltimore.

What's the goal?

To reach our goal of one or two available parking spaces per block (15-25% availability; or 75-85% occupancy), we must use the right rate - the lowest rate that will regularly produce one or two available parking spaces on each block face.

How does it work?

Data will be collected and analyzed every six months to determine the average occupancy rate on each block. Meter rates will be adjusted incrementally and slowly. Rates will be adjusted up or down in $0.25 increments no more than once every six months.

  • If occupancy is higher than 85% in a particular block, the rate will generally go up.
  • If occupancy is lower than 75% in a particular block, the rate will generally go down.
  • If occupancy is between 75% and 85%, the rate will generally not change

    Demand Based Parking Meter Rate Setting

    Areas where Demand-Based Parking Meter Rate Setting has expanded 

    Mt Vernon 

    • Extend Meter-in-Effect Times 

    Blockfaces to Extend Meter-In-Effect Time to 8PM 

    Block 

    Street 

    Side 

    Current Hours* 

    New Hours 

    1200 

    Charles 

    East Side 

    8am-4pm Mon-Fri 8am-6pm Sat (Peak restricted 4pm-6pm Mon-Fri) 

    8am-8pm Mon-Fri 8am-8pm Sat (Peak restricted 4pm-6pm Mon-Fri) 

    1200 

    Charles 

    West Side 

    8am-6pm Mon-Sat 

    8am-8pm Mon-Sat 

    Unit 

    East Biddle 

    North Side 

    8am-6pm Mon-Sat 

    8am-8pm Mon-Sat 

    Unit 

    East Biddle 

    South Side 

    8am-6pm Mon-Sat 

    8am-8pm Mon-Sat 

    500 

    Park 

    East Side 

    8am-3pm Mon-Fri 8am-6pm Sat 

    8am-8pm Mon-Fri 

    8am-8pm Sat 

    500 

    Park 

    West Side 

    8am-6pm Mon-Sat 

    8am-8pm Mon-Sat 

    600 

    Park 

    East Side 

    9:30am-6pm Mon-Fri 

    9:30am-8pm Mon-Fri 

    600 

    Park 

    West Side 

    9:30am-6pm Mon-Fri 

    9:30am-8pm Mon-Fri 

    300 

    West Monument 

    North Side 

    8am-6pm Mon-Sat 

    8am-8pm Mon-Sat 

    300 

    West Monument 

    South Side 

    8am-6pm Mon-Sat 

    8am-8pm Mon-Sat 

    *at the time of the study 

    Harbor East

    Central Downtown 

    Downloads

    Other cities with demand-based pricing: