Modelling the Effects of Parking Charge and Supply Policy Using System Dynamics Method

Abstract

Reasonable parking charge and supply policy are essential for the regular operation of the traffic in city center. This paper develops an evaluation model for parking policies using system dynamics. A quantitative study is conducted to examine the effects of parking charge and supply policy on traffic speed. The model, which is composed of three interrelated subsystems, first summarizes the travel cost of each travel mode and then calibrates the travel choice model through the travel mode subsystem. Finally, the subsystem that evaluates the state of traffic forecasts future car speed based on bureau of public roads (BPR) function and generates new travel cost until the entire model reaches a steady state. The accuracy of the model is verified in Hangzhou Wulin business district. The related error of predicted speed is only 2.2%. The results indicate that the regular pattern of traffic speed and parking charge can be illustrated using the proposed model based on system dynamics, and the model infers that reducing the parking supply in core area will increase its congestion level and, under certain parking supply conditions, there exists an interval of possible pricing at which the service reaches a level that is fairly stable.

Do Personal Norms Predict Citizens’ Acceptance of Green Transport Policies in China

“…Similarly, Brand et al [7] conducted a scenario study to assess car pricing and taxation instruments, and suggested car purchase feebate policies are effective in accelerating the uptake of low-carbon technology and reducing life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. It was also confirmed that parking policy is a necessary measure to control urban road demand, and that a customized parking charge policy could address the phenomenon of parking difficulty in cities [8,9]. Pu et al [10] reported that the restrictions on car licenses in Hangzhou would restrict the vehicles with certain license numbers from entering the downtown area during peak hours, and therefore effectively reduce the car emissions in the restriction area.…”

“…Researchers have engaged in conducting studies to evaluate the effectiveness and public acceptance of policies in the transport field. Some scholars evaluated and examined isolated transport policies instead of from a comprehensive perspective [4,5,9]. Some explored the different public acceptance of green transport policies in different countries and regions at different times [20,21].…”

Examining Parking Choices of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles

“…In the case of unrestricted parking, the study revealed that the average travel speed would be reduced up to 16%, with traffic system performance at its best with very high prices compared with a zero-price option. Furthermore, an agent-based simulation case study in the central business district of the city of Wulin (Hangzhou, China), compared three tactics—different parking lots at the same rates, different parking lots with different rates always, and different parking lots with different rates during peak hours—to discover which performed the best ( 20 ). The main findings were that: (i) for the two strategies with varying parking prices, there were improvements in average travel time, average travel distance, and failure rate (percentage of cruising vehicles), (ii) varying parking prices can disperse drivers to less popular parking areas, which means parking resources are used more effectively, and (iii) the best performing parking strategy was where parking prices were varied only at peak times, which had the best comprehension (i.e., combination of low average cost and failure rate).…”