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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03. parkingmemo 08162022 1 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 2 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 3 • 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. 4 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 5 • 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. 6 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 7 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. 8 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. . 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