The Evolution of Curbside Management

5 min read.

Author: Cynthia Bruce, Associate Director, Proposal Development

Published on Parking Industry Insights

Urban mobility has become a powerful force reshaping cities worldwide. At the heart of this change is curbside management, once seen as a basic part of city infrastructure but now undergoing significant change. In today's busy cities, where space is limited, curbside management influences how we move, interact, and do business. It plays a key role in shaping urban mobility and promoting sustainable development.

Curbside management is an interesting topic that everyone in the parking and mobility industry should understand. Let's explore curbside management and its benefits, explaining how it shapes communities and helps make parking more efficient.

Shaping Urban Life Through Curbside Management

Curbside management involves planning, regulating, and optimizing the use of curb spaces along streets and sidewalks. Its goal is to use these spaces effectively to meet the needs of urban communities while ensuring safety and sustainability. Originally focused on parking rules and traffic flow, curbside management now includes transportation, urban design, and economic development. It's a flexible tool for managing limited curb space and promoting community harmony.

Creating a Smart Curbside Management Plan

Why is good curbside management important? It balances the needs of different groups while making the community more valuable. Here are three reasons to plan for curbside management:

1. Improving Traffic Flow for Community Growth

Good curbside management reduces traffic jams and makes streets safer. By assigning curb space for parking, loading zones, and pedestrian paths, it helps traffic flow smoothly and improves mobility. For example, loading zones reduce double-parking and delivery truck congestion, easing traffic and making streets safer. Well-designed pedestrian crossings also make walking and cycling safer, improving traffic flow and making communities more pleasant places to live and work.

2. Making Parking More Profitable for Everyone

Curbside parking is valuable for cities, providing access to businesses and amenities. Good curbside management means more revenue from parking fees and better access for everyone. This can be done through metered parking, permit systems, and flexible pricing. Metered parking charges based on how long you stay, encouraging turnover. Permits give residents and businesses priority parking, making sure everyone gets a fair share. Flexible pricing adjusts rates based on demand, making parking easier to find and more profitable for the city.

3. Making Life Easier in the Community

Well-planned curbside management makes life better for residents and visitors. By providing easy access to transportation and amenities, it makes communities more pleasant and sustainable. Designated pickup zones for ride-hailing services and micro-mobility devices reduce congestion. These efforts make communities more attractive and enjoyable places to live.

The evolution of curbside management reflects the changing nature of cities and our efforts to make them better places to live. By working together and embracing new ideas, we can create curbside spaces that meet the needs of modern communities. From improving parking to making streets more inviting, curbside management is essential for building cities that are fair, resilient, and vibrant.

References

Curbside Management Strategy - City of Toronto. City of Toronto. (2017, November 29). https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2017/pw/bgrd/backgroundfile-109540.pdf  

Hoyt, D. (2022, March 2). Modernizing curbside management – how smart parking technology paves the way to a digital curb. ParkMobile. https://parkmobile.io/articles/modernizing-curbside-management-how-smart-parking-technology-paves-the-way-to-a-digital-curb/  

Lee, J. (2022, June 2). Sharing the curbside. Pembina Institute. https://www.pembina.org/pub/sharing-curbside#:~:text=Ultimately%2C%20curbside%20management%20needs%20to,facilitating%20freight%20and%20goods%20movement.  

Lereno, E. (2023, February 7). How to implement an effective curbside management strategy. Parking Industry. https://www.parkingindustry.ca/parking-management/how-to-implement-an-effective-curbside-management-strategy