It is imperative for safety that Arlington move forward efficiently with the Performance Parking Pilot. Our "one size fits all" approach to onstreet parking is a root cause of many problems on our streets today including double-parking, parking in the bike lane, parking in bus stops, distracted driving and more.  Parking on some blocks is in considerably higher demand than other blocks and yet they are priced the same.  This is a clear contributor to the seeming contradictory experience drivers have on our streets - we have more than enough parking, but everyone has trouble finding a parking space where they want one.  This leads to people demanding that more parking be built than is necessary, despite the problem not being a lack of parking, but instead that we are completely failing to manage it properly.

In addition, it is critical that implementation of the Performance Parking Pilot be coupled with increased parking enforcement.  Preliminary data from the pilot shows an epidemic of meter-evasion - only 30% of people who park are paying their fair share. In order for changes in meter pricing to impact parking demand and distribution, that price must be enforced.  We know that pricing a scarce good is an effective way to ensure conservation of that good and prevent waste.  It is why we price municipal water by the gallon.  If we are comfortable charging for a good as necessary for human survival as water, we should be more than comfortable charging appropriately for parking.