Parking Design
I've seen a lot of calls to remove parking minimums, and very little to address the need for parking. This article proposes the installation of large public parking garages, which is mostly a good idea. The problem is that it makes no allowance for people who need door-to-door access, which means for most disabled people, that whole area might as well not exist.
Solution: reduce parking minimums per building to handicap spaces plus some extra for people who don't qualify for a card but do need door-to-door access. (I've seen parking spaces set aside for pregnant people, for heavy loads, etc.) Also include pull-throughs so that people can be dropped off right by a door. In a pedestrian-front neighborhood, a side street or back alley provides motor access discreetly and safely.
While we're at it, alternative parking structures would be a great addition to high-density areas. Include a bike garage with open racks, premium docks, and garages plus a locker room. This would also be a good place to offer parking for other small personal vehicles such as scooters or e-skateboards. Include chargers for electronic vehicles. If designed to accommodate electric wheelchairs, make sure the facilities provide a high level of ADA service (a shower lift, adult changing table, etc.) for best accessibility. Do you really want to encourage alternative transportation? Make its parking cheap or free, and charge more for car parking. Preferably, disabled parking should be free to counterbalance the added expenses of any disability.
Solution: reduce parking minimums per building to handicap spaces plus some extra for people who don't qualify for a card but do need door-to-door access. (I've seen parking spaces set aside for pregnant people, for heavy loads, etc.) Also include pull-throughs so that people can be dropped off right by a door. In a pedestrian-front neighborhood, a side street or back alley provides motor access discreetly and safely.
While we're at it, alternative parking structures would be a great addition to high-density areas. Include a bike garage with open racks, premium docks, and garages plus a locker room. This would also be a good place to offer parking for other small personal vehicles such as scooters or e-skateboards. Include chargers for electronic vehicles. If designed to accommodate electric wheelchairs, make sure the facilities provide a high level of ADA service (a shower lift, adult changing table, etc.) for best accessibility. Do you really want to encourage alternative transportation? Make its parking cheap or free, and charge more for car parking. Preferably, disabled parking should be free to counterbalance the added expenses of any disability.