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 is collected and analyzed every six months to determine the average occupancy rate on each block. Meter rates are adjusted incrementally and slowly. Rates are 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
Areas where Demand-Based Parking Meter Rate Setting has expanded
Fells Point
The new rates went into effect October 2022.
Mt Vernon
- View the map showing the new rates. The parking studies were conducted during February and March 2021.
- Extend Meter-in-Effect Times
Blockfaces to Extend Meter-In-Effect Time to 8:00 PM | ||||
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
- 2nd round of rate changes - list of rates by meter
- Memo to PABC Board of Directors with rate change recommendations
Central Downtown
- 9th round of rate changes
- Parking Meter Rate Adjustments (up, down, maintain)
- Parking Meter Rate Prices
Federal Hill
- 1st round of rate changes
- Download map of meter rate recommendations (evening)
- Download map of meter rate recommendations (daytime)
- Download table of regular meter rate recommendations
- Download table of split meter rate recommendations
- Download report of meter rate analysis and recommendations
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Downloads
- Demand-Based Parking Meter Rate Setting graphic
- Pie graph graphic
- Demand-Based Parking Meter Rate Setting one-page fact sheet.
- PowerPoint presentation
Other cities with demand-based pricing:
- Washington, DC
- San Francisco, CA
- Boston, MA (pilot program)
- New Haven, CT (pilot program)
- Seattle, WA
- List of cities with "Goldilocks" parking fees: Reinventing Parking blog