HomeMy WebLinkAbout03. parkingmemo 08162022
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TO: Vail Town Council
FROM: Parking and Mobility Task Force
Greg Hall, Director of Public Works and Transportation
Stephanie Kashiwa, Parking Operations Manger
DATE: August 16, 2022
SUBJECT: Update on Parking and Mobility Task Force recommended winter 2022-2023
parking program
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this item is to:
• Provide Town Council with an update on the Parking and Mobility Task Force (PAMTF)
discussions regarding mobility and winter parking
• Provide recommendations for winter 2022-2023
• Request Town Council direction regarding next steps
II. BACKGROUND
The Parking & Mobility Task Force or a previous version was formed in 1999 in an advisory
capacity and has been enacted through the years at the direction of the Vail Town Council. In
reinstating the Task Force, the role of the 11-member group is to provide advisory input and
recommendations on parking, transit and mobility services and operations. Representatives are as
follows:
Representing the retail community – Hilary Magner
Representing the restaurant community -- Mike Dunlap and Brian Butts
Representing the lodging community – Chad Stephens
Representing the community-at-large – Mike Griffin, and Ross Sappenfield
Representing Sustainability Community – Kira Koppel
Representing Vail Resorts – Beth Howard and Jeff Babb
Representing the Vail Town Council - Jonathan Staufer and Jen Mason
The Task Force is supported by various departments and agencies to assist with technical
expertise.
III. TASK FORCE ISSUE DISCUSSIONS
The PAMTF convened a total of five times over the summer meeting 5/26, 7/1, 7/14, 7/26, and 8/5.
Discussions began with the how the parking experience of last season was perceived. It was
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agreed this is not an experience to be repeated in future years. The task force began with the
concept of mobility verses focusing on driving private vehicles which require parking. Focusing on
mobility and our future in general, as well as broader goals and Town specific goals and action
areas of focus identified by the council of which mobility is a part of. The task force performed a
detailed review of parking and transit statistics for Vail and other identified jurisdictions similar to
Vail and discussed various management techniques or approaches to address the opportunities,
constraints issues and concerns and how mobility should be viewed for not only the upcoming
2022-2023 winter season but also where the town should strive for in the future. (Agendas
attached) An overview of some of the discussion topics is presented below:
Initial Mobility Discussion and how Mobility relates to each of the Town Council four areas
of focus.
• Economy
• Environment
• Experience
• Community
Discussion regarding a paradigm shift in how Mobility is viewed going forward and some
opportunities to think in a bigger context as an overall management strategy
• Mobility choices are a part of everyday decisions and the impact on our community from our
mobility choices.
• Ability to drive new mobility markets and choices
• Discuss the future and what opportunities are here and coming, should we lead where we
can or slowly roll out change
Goals, Policies and Guidelines
The topics discussed included reviewing the town’s parking management, goals and objectives (as
well as the Town’s Sustainability Goal regarding greenhouse gas reductions.
2021-2022 Winter Season Review
The winter of 2021-2022 was a record year over the previous 22 seasons with respect to overflow
days on the South Frontage Road
• 35 overflow days – 2018-2019
• 25 overflow days – 2019-2020
• 35 overflow days – 2020-2021
• 53 overflow days – 2021-2022
15 overflow days – Town Council Goal
It was established we would need to reduce demand during the peak hours of the peak days, by
300-400 cars parking to reach the Town’s frontage road goals (less than 5 % of transaction
demand). In addition to meet our Greenhouse Gas reduction goal of 25% by 2025 we would need
to reduce overall use by up to another 10% of all transactions, not only peak periods.
The Town of Vail provides parking for 90% of our demand days and manages the remaining 10%
of overflow.
Mobility Management Approaches and Techniques to manage mobility choices reviewed
• Optimization/utilization/utilization of available parking
• Restrictions
• Reservations or Caps
• Behavior Modification
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• Incentives and Disincentives
• Dynamic Management
• Availability of alternative modes of Mobility over single occupant vehicles
• Pricing
The Task Force also recognized the need to assess data on user patterns regarding generic user
groups around time of use, location, as well as duration to be able to better monitor the results of
change and inform future decisions. The work began with review of the overall use data and
identified daily data based on demand.
An initial philosophy to investigate a pay as you use verses our previous upfront pass system was
thought to keep front and center the cost of use and what alternatives should one consider verses
signing up for one mode for the entire season.
Review of various Recent Survey Results
The following were reviewed 2022 Vail Community Survey results, VRI guest experience survey for
the last ski season, the TOV 2017 Parking intercept survey conducted by RRC, the Eagle County
Climate Action Collaborative Transportation Survey of Spring 2020, the regional transit authority
working group employee commuter survey of early winter of 2021 and the I-70 Coalition and CDOT
Bustang/Snowstang survey as well as I-70 User Focus Group survey conducted this last winter.
Peer Resort Review Pricing and Parking Products
The Task Force reviewed peer resort pricing from last winter and found that Vail’s pricing actually
lags some of the other resorts. We looked at pricing of the first 0 to 2 hours and for the full day.
Vail Free Parking and Outlying Parking
The majority of winter parking transactions in Vail’s parking structures are free. Of the 532,000
ticketed transactions occurring during a winter season, 210,088 are for 2 hours or less with 57 %
occurring during the paid period and 43 % during the free period after 3 p.m. town has recorded an
additional 81,201 of transactions of more than 2 hours which occur during the free after 3 program.
Regarding both the close in lots which had restriction on users and the parking in West Vail, it was
determined that this inventory of over 400 close in spots 150 were available on almost all of the
peak days of the 265 western spaces besides the two largest overflow days they never filled on the
other peak or overflow days during last season There is a desire by the Task Force to have these
areas utilized more often, thus freeing up spaces in the structures, which, in turn, reduces the
number of cars potentially parked on the South Frontage Road during overflow days.
CDOT Frontage Road parking
The current rules of the frontage road parking leases were discussed, as well as the possibility to
have charged parking on the frontage roads. Initial conversations with CDOT would allow this to
happen with the Town required to reimburse CDOT revenues in excess of our operating costs.
Paid parking would be a tool to change behavior to utilize available parking.
Rates and Passes Discussions
Rates were reviewed in up to four different demand scenarios along with various mobility pass
users offset of the retail rate. The initial 0- 2 hour free period and the free after 3 PM program were
discussed and if these should be altered to address issues that were identified. It was discussed if
“Free after 3” should be “Arrive after 5” as well as including an evening rate. Lessoning the 0-2
hour period was also reviewed as a step to decrease demand.
The discussion revolved around being proactive, seeking an overall approach to the issues and
being cognizant to the overwhelming demand that resulted last year and the overarching goals we
set for both parking and sustainability.
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The overall framework for the pricing starts with the retail price of the most desirable parking, then
setting other areas at a price to encourage demand from the higher priced area to move to the
lowest priced area.
A desire to fill the least priced areas first and the highest priced areas last based on how the
market is priced
Charge for overflow parking on all days. It had become common knowledge arriving a little later on
our busiest days almost guaranteed free parking and drove additional parking demand.
In addition, consider paid evening parking on the frontage road at a rate higher than the structures
to discourage users to continue to park out on the road when there is more secure parking
available.
Paid parking at parks and trailheads to manage these areas for unattended consequences during
peak periods
Carpool Implementation
There was quite a bit of discussion concerning carpools and how carpools are managed. There
was a strong desire that carpool incentives are part of the overall solution and be implemented this
year. The discussion revolved about some of the logistical issues but at the same time the need to
implement during our peak periods.
Timing
Our ability to move forward with the many areas discussed.
The Town of Vail has rolled out a new parking system. Some of the features will allow us to provide
some various ways to manage our systems better. However, there is still some significant due
diligence and proofing the actual outcome beyond initial discussions with our vendor
Comprehensive Communication and Media
It is paramount a comprehensive communication, branding and media plan is part of the rollout
including:
• Information is easy to understand
• Translates to all platforms both graphically and text
• Print, Web page, mobile devices and easy to connect IP address links for others to use
• Initial marketing which includes significant outreach to partners
• Ability for users to have information to plan ahead
• Ability to receive alerts, notices, provide real time information
• Clear and concise messaging at the point of entry and payment
• Clear messaging and wayfinding to direct parkers to their best option
• Possible one stop app for all mobility needs
It is constant communication not only at the beginning but throughout the season and we ask our
partners to assist in spreading the message on the changes. In the past we may have only
updated our information and communicated it at the beginning of the season.
Incentives for Preferred Travel Behavior and other Mobility Enhancements
• Discounts for parking at lower demand facilities and on off-peak days
• Reduced/Free ECO bus fares on peak days, still researching
• Carpool incentives however there is a lack of automated management options
• E-bike share access/discounts for next summer, possible winter
• Increased TOV bus service on peak days
o East Vail increase frequency from 15 minutes to 8-10 minutes daytime
o Includes Ford Park as well
o West Vail South increase frequency to 15 minutes peak direction daytime
o Explore other route peak and evening frequencies including Red Sandstone
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• Convert Town of Vail transit bike racks to carry fat tire bikes
• Secure e-bike parking in garages with charging capability
• Guaranteed Ride Home programs if a bus rider/carpooler fare to get home covered with
receipt limit number by season
• Increased Pegasus 7 days a week this winter
• Increased Bustang routes to 5 this winter
IV. RECOMMENDED WINTER 2022-2023 PARKING PROGRAM
The task force recommended a combined management focus on behavior modification to optimize
the resources available, and to reduce the demand on parking through dynamic pricing while
providing alternative mobility choices for users. The task force felt that the dynamic pricing should
look at our peak periods. However, the need to be simple and easily communicated this first year
was critical and therefore, even though the data may have suggested up to 4 distinct periods that
could be managed differently, it was agreed to have 2 periods this first year. The most important
part was to have the days identified upfront and well communicated to allow individuals to plan.
In addition, it was important to recognize all users are not the same and have different mobility
needs and potential impacts from revised management techniques.
The overall parking supply was divided into 5 distinct areas. The Vail Village and Lionshead
structures, the close in managed lots of Vail Athletic Field, Ford Park and Red Sandstone School in
addition to the Vail Municipal lot which has been available on weekends and holidays. The western
parking options of Donovan Park, Frontage Road parking across from the West Vail commercial
area and the parking near the Chamonix bus stop west of the Fire Station 3. Frontage overflow
parking and finally trailhead and park parking. The town manages all these areas in some fashion.
It should be noted that the town sets the parking market, not only for public parking but influences
pricing for private parking spaces as well. In addition, the town can influence the market for
shuttles, transit as well as private rideshare opportunities.
Retail or drive-up rates were established for all of these scenarios. From the retail rates, specific
rates were then established for our defined user groups. The rates also maintained some of the
features most local’s care about during off peak times, while shifting away from such a strong
message of free parking, to a message of emphasizing choices and costs of coming to Vail during
peak days by car. Enhancing and providing alternatives to the message of no free parking
regarding the general public.
The Task Force makes the following recommendations when considering all the variables, policies
and dynamics of mobility and the Vail parking program: reducing demand, the desire to encourage
transit and carpooling use, discourage driving and have parking policies more aligned with our
environmental policies, while recognizing the need to cover costs of increased parking operations
and transit services and providing other enhancements. and continued Travel Demand
Management messages and programs, while considering the impact on our economic drivers
In reviewing various rate structures as they related to the upcoming ski season, colors were used
to distinguish between the different severity of the day, similar to the Fire Danger rating scale for
forests. Red days were the peak and green days are the non-peak days once we settled on two
rates.
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Recommended Retail Rate Structures:
Vail Village and Lionshead
RED
Retail
Green
Retail
Day rate 0-30 min 0 0
30 min -1hr 5 2
1hr-2hr 10 5
2hr-3hr 20 10
3hr-4hr 30 20
4hr-5hr 40 30
Evening 0-3hr 0 0
3hr - 5hr 5 2
5 hr -10 hr 10 5
Overnight 4 AM -5 AM 60 50
Recommended Retail Rate Close in Lots:
Red Sandstone Ford
Soccer Municipal
RED
Retail
Green
Retail
Day rate 0-1hr 0 0
1hr-12hr 20 10
Evening 0-3hr 0 0
3hr - 10hr 5 0
Overnight
4 AM -5
AM N/A N/A
RSS
Overnight
4 AM -5
AM 35 25
Recommended Retail Rate Western Areas:
Donovan, Safeway, West
Vail
RED
Retail
Green
Retail
Day rate 0-2hr 0 0
2hr-12hr 15 5
Evening 0-10hr 0 0
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Overnight N/A N/A
RV
Overnight
4 AM -5
AM 25 25
Recommended Retail Rate Frontage Road Overflow:
Frontage Road Overflow
RED
Retail
Green
Retail
Day rate 0-1 hr 0 0
1hr-2hr 10 10
2hr-12hr 20 20
Evening 0-3 hr 10 10
3hr - 5hr 20 20
Overnight N/A N/A
Recommended Retail Rate Trailheads and Parks:
Trailheads Parks
RED
Retail
Green
Retail
Day rate 0-3hr 0 0
3hr-12hr 10 5
Overnight N/A N/A
Current
0 to 30 0
30 to 1 0
1 to 1.5 0
1.5 to 2 0
2 to 3 $10
3 to4 $20
4 to 15 $30
Overnight $50
Recommended Parking Pass Prices
Mobility Passes Existing Proposed
Premium $3300 $4125
Business Premium $2000 $2750
Employee $350 $500
Local $25 $50
Eagle County $25 $50
Colorado N/A $10
Passes are important to allow additional flexibility in rates and programs and target key
stakeholders. Additional detail is provided in the PowerPoint presentation. It is in the Town’s best
interest to have a significant number of pass holders as users of our system.
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IV. RECOMMENDED NEXT STEPS
It is recognized we have discussed many changes that could be implemented. Some will require a
much deeper dive and actual demonstration beyond a reasonable doubt the concepts as initially
discussed with our technology providers can be successfully implemented. In addition to that, even
though we had representation of the various users, and demographics of those users, the public
has not weighted in yet and we expect to go seek out input on the recommendations that have
been discussed by the Vail Parking and Mobility Task Force. In addition, there are costs as well as
resources and actual execution of improvements which need to be completed prior to the start of
the season. Our ability and limitations of which plan and program components that we are able to
execute this year and which we are not able to successfully demonstrate we will be able to carry
out as planned needs to be fully pursued and finalized. All of above will be taken into account as
we review all the input, logistics, and execution to ensure success in the final programs offered.
Staff will provide cost and budget projections on the final recommended plan. If there are items the
council would like included, please provide those items and staff can work on bringing back the
necessary information. The task force will convene at least once more prior to returning to the
council at its September evening meeting regarding a final program for this year.
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VI. ACTION REQUESTED
Provide direction to the staff and the PAMTF on the information presented as well as provide
feedback on the issues regarding any additional information which would be useful from the Task
Force as the Town Council will be asked to decide on the winter 2022-2023 parking and mobility
program in September.
VII. STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Town Council provide input, direction and issues the council would like the
Parking and Mobility Task Force to address in order to make a final recommendation to the Vail
Town Council to adopt at a regular evening meeting in September for the upcoming winter 2022-
2023 ski season.
VII. ATTACHMENTS Task Force Agendas
PowerPoint Presentation