Parking-lane reallocation
RFT-CDR-05 CorridorParking-lane reallocation
Overview
A parking lane is curb space, not travel-lane space, so reallocating it changes the curb's function rather than the roadway's through capacity. This makes it a distinct retrofit strategy from a road diet or lane diet, even though it's often executed alongside one. Common outcomes include a painted or protected bike lane, a peak-hour or full-time bus lane, or a parklet occupying what was previously one or two parking spaces.
Related Media
The items below come from outside the Commonway System, external videos, podcasts, and articles related to this page's topic, not part of the guidebook itself.
Where this leads: Target patterns
Bicycle Boulevard / Neighborhood Greenway (LOC-BBG-12), Local Transit (LOC-LTR-10), Collector Transit (COL-CTR-05)
Applicability and thresholds
Applicable wherever on-street parking exists and demand analysis shows the parking is underutilized relative to the corridor's other needs, or where the reallocated use (transit, bikes, public space) is judged a higher priority than parking supply at that location.
Evidence and effectiveness
AASHTO identifies reconfiguring or reducing on-street parking as one of three established approaches to retrofitting bicycle facilities without widening the road, alongside reallocating travel-lane width and reducing the number of travel lanes.1
Getting it built
Well suited to the early stages of the construction spectrum. A parklet or bike lane conversion is a common demonstration- or pilot-stage project, using paint, planters, and removable barriers before any permanent construction. See Construction Methodology & The Build Spectrum.
No formal decision process is typically required, though negotiation with affected business owners and residents is common practice, per FHWA guidance on parking removal.
Who can move this
Usually a city public works or planning department decision, sometimes requiring business improvement district or city council coordination where displaced parking affects adjacent businesses. See Legal & Planning Mechanisms.
Related retrofit strategies
Protected bike lane retrofit via parking reduction (RFT-CDR-09) (a specific application of this strategy aimed at bike facilities)