India’s rapid urbanisation has transformed its cities in many ways. The country has seen a significant rise in private vehicle ownership due to improvements in income and living standards, along with the high population growth. This has brought about an array of infrastructural challenges, one of the most pervasive being parking. With millions of vehicles competing for limited parking space, especially in urban centres, parking has become a daily struggle for city dwellers. This blog explores India’s mounting parking issues, their far-reaching impact, and the pressing need for modern parking management systems to bring order and efficiency to the urban landscape.
With rising incomes, an expanding middle class, and the appeal of private vehicle ownership, the number of cars on Indian roads has grown exponentially. According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways data, India has seen approximately a growth of 400% in the motor vehicle population from 55 million in 2001 to 210 million in 2015.
Number of registered vehicles across India from financial year 1951 to 2020 in millions
In densely populated urban cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore, the rising number of vehicles has overwhelmed the existing parking infrastructure, with available spaces far outnumbered by the vehicles requiring them. This acute shortage of parking spaces has caused motorists to park on roadside, footpaths, and other open spaces. In particular, roadsides lined with parked cars reduce usable road width, resulting in narrower lanes, congestion, and increased chances of accidents.
2. Lack of Organised Parking Infrastructure
Many Indian cities lack planned and organised parking spaces, with only a few dedicated parking zones in crowded commercial and residential areas. While new developments like multi-level parking systems have taken place, commercial spaces still fail to provide enough space for off-street parking. In some cases, designated parking is absent altogether, pushing motorists to park on residential streets and footpaths, worsening congestion and traffic as people tend to cruise to find parking spaces. A report by the Centre for Science and Environment indicates that 75% of urban roads are occupied by parked vehicles, reducing road space for traffic flow and endangering pedestrians and cyclists.
3. Inefficient Use of Available Parking Spaces
This inefficiency in the usage of available parking spaces often arises from improper planning, lack of regulation, and poor management of parking facilities, leading to underutilisation or overcrowding. The disorganised layout of parking spaces also restricts access and often blocks other vehicles as cars are parked haphazardly or in multiple rows. Overcharging further complicates the situation as it forces people to park on streets, which adds to congestion and decreases road space. This informal approach to parking, with little to no enforcement of guidelines, only worsens the issue. Finally, in some cases, spaces are misappropriated or used for non-parking purposes—such as encroachment by street vendors or temporary storage. These practices reduce the effective parking space available to the public.
4. Unregulated Tariff Structure
In many urban spaces, parking remains free or prices too low, with stagnant rates that haven’t been updated in years. Such low rates encourage the use of private vehicles, leading to higher instances of solo driving, which not only consumes more resources but also leads to air and noise pollution. Referring to this problem, Donald C.Shoup, Professor of Urban Planning at the University of California, mentioned in his book The High Cost of Free Parking that the need of the hour is not to build more parking spaces but to frame a demand-based parking pricing system to maintain optimal occupancy levels. He suggests that charging either too much or too little for parking has economic consequences: excessively high prices may lead to vacant parking spaces, reducing footfall to nearby businesses and impacting local employment and tax revenue, while overly low prices contribute to parking problems.
5. Preference for On-Street Parking
On-street parking is a persistent issue in India, largely due to inconsistencies in parking policies. One key factor contributing to this imbalance is that on-street parking remains less expensive than off-street parking options, particularly in urban spaces. This cost difference exists because of higher costs associated with constructing and maintaining off-street parking establishments. As a result, on-street parking, though cheaper, significantly impacts road capacity by reducing available lanes and creating stop-start traffic flows, especially during peak hours. Motorist behaviour is also responsible for on-street parking as many are reluctant to walk even short distances after parking, leading them to park as close as possible to their destination.
The rising parking issues in India have led to various repercussions on urban life, with road infrastructure and functionality getting negatively affected. Let’s look at how these challenges affect various aspects of Indian society.
1. Road Congestion and Slower Parking Flow
The shortage of parking spaces has led to an overflow of vehicles onto roadsides, footpaths, and other public spaces. They make the paths narrower and lead to frequent bottlenecks. This congestion disrupts not only traffic speed but also the efficiency of urban transportation systems, affecting daily commutes and increasing travel times.
2. Increased Accidents and Pedestrian Risk
The lack of organised parking spaces endangers pedestrians and cyclists alike, as parked vehicles often encroach on footpaths and cycling paths. Due to the lack of proper footpaths, pedestrians are frequently forced to walk along busy streets, putting them at risk of accidents. Inadequate space for off-street parking also leads to vehicles being parked in residential areas or crowded commercial streets, causing vehicles to enter pedestrian spaces, and further endangering non-motorised road users.
3. Loss of Public Space and Urban Disorder
Urban disorder and the reduction of effective public space have become a burgeoning problem in India due to unorganised and inefficient use of available parking spaces. Increasing parking encroachments have compromised the design of most cities by blocking roadways and reducing accessibility. Spaces originally built for public use are frequently overtaken by motorists, impacting the aesthetics and orderliness of urban areas and detracting from the community’s quality of life.
4. Environmental and Economic Impact
Free or low-cost parking encourages more private vehicle use, adding to pollution and energy consumption. The preference for private vehicles, fuelled by unregulated parking tariffs, worsens issues like solo driving, resulting in higher emissions and noise pollution, severely impacting the health of people. Local economies also get affected due to unregulated parking tariffs. As Shoup points out, unregulated parking tariffs affect the local economies. Conversely, excessively high parking rates lead to vacant parking areas, which deter the sale of nearby businesses.
5. Reduced Road Safety and Increased Driver Frustration
On-street parking not only disrupts the flow of traffic but also leads to road rage incidents and increased motorist frustration. Since many motorists attempt to park as close to their destinations as possible, it leads to conflicts over parking spots and aggressive driving behaviours. Moreover, frequent disruptions due to manoeuvring in and out of on-street parking spots further increase the chances of minor accidents and blocking other vehicles.
Parking management systems are urgently needed in India to address the country’s mounting urban challenges caused by increasing vehicle ownership, inadequate infrastructure, and poorly regulated parking policies. Here are key reasons why implementing effective parking management systems is essential.
1. Alleviating Parking Congestion
The metropolitan areas of India face severe parking congestion issues due to unregulated on-street parking and unorganised off-street parking. Effective and modern parking management systems help organise and regulate parking across these cities, reducing roadside encroachments and improving traffic flow. This, in turn, reduces travel time for motorists and makes road transport smoother.
2. Enhancing Road Safety and Reducing Accidents
On-street parking often puts pedestrians and cyclists at risk of accidents. Parking management systems provide clearly designated spaces for parking that keep footpaths and non-motorised spaces free for people to safely enjoy the urban landscape. By discouraging roadside parking, these systems contribute to better traffic discipline, safer pedestrian zones, and a reduction in road accidents.
3. Optimising Urban Space Utilisation
Limited urban spaces are a major problem in many Indian cities, and haphazard parking further aggravates the situation. A systematic parking management ensures parking spaces are efficiently utilised. Technologies like smart sensors and real-time data tracking can help monitor occupancy rates and optimise space usage. This maximisation of space use benefits both motorists and local businesses.
4. Environmental Benefits
Excessive vehicle use has a negative impact on the environment as it releases more emissions and causes air and noise pollution. Parking management systems implement a systematic pricing system that encourages people to choose alternative modes of transportation like public transport, cycling, or walking. This in turn reduces emissions and lowers the carbon footprint. Additionally, efficient parking systems decrease the time motorists spend searching for parking, which reduces unnecessary fuel consumption and air pollution.
5. Increased Revenue
Structured paid parking systems generate revenue for both businesses and municipalities and also minimise congestion. As noted by Donald Shoup, a well-regulated pricing system encourages efficient utilisation of the available parking spaces. It also generates revenue that the cities can use to develop and improve infrastructure and public transportation. The data generated by parking management systems on parking usage, revenue generated, and payment patterns also assist car park owners in framing parking policies, pricing, and infrastructural investments.
6. Improving Urban Mobility and Accessibility
Organised parking helps public transport and emergency vehicles to operate smoothly by getting rid of congestion. By reducing constant obstructions, parking management systems make cities more accessible to motorists and pedestrians alike. In cities with limited parking infrastructure, smart systems can also help locate available spots in real-time, improving convenience for drivers and reducing time spent on the road.
7. Reducing On-Street Parking Dependence
Parking management systems advocate off-street parking by adjusting tariffs and availability, encouraging motorists to choose organised parking facilities over roadside spots. This change is crucial for clearing roads, which ultimately benefits urban mobility and reduces on-road conflicts among motorists.
8. Enhanced Security and Enforcement
Innovative parking management systems can greatly enhance enforcement and security. By integrating surveillance cameras and licence plate recognition, car parks can efficiently monitor prohibited parking and overstays, reducing the need for manual checks. Additionally, features such as well-lit areas, CCTV, and emergency assistance buttons improve safety, deterring theft and vandalism. These advancements create a safer, more secure environment for motorists and their vehicles.
Indus Parking Services (IPS) has introduced several of the mentioned key measures to improve the parking experiences which will benefit both motorists and the management by addressing common parking issues.
1. Parking Attendants
Parking attendants enhance efficiency and security in a parking management system. They help guide vehicles to available spaces, reducing congestion and improving turnover. Attendants also ensure compliance with payment requirements, and assist drivers, thereby minimising confusion and enhancing overall user experience. Their presence often deters theft and vandalism, adding a layer of safety for vehicles.
2. 24/7 Surveillance with CCTV Cameras
IPS offers 24/7 CCTV surveillance across parking facilities, which not only improves the safety of vehicles but also gives motorists peace of mind as their vehicles are under constant watch. For car park owners, this enhanced security can help reduce incidents of theft and vandalism.
3. Cashless Payment System with Pay & Display Machines
The Pay & Display Machines offer a seamless and convenient payment process for motorists. This system reduces wait times and eliminates the hassle of cash handling, making the entry and exit process faster. For car par owners, cashless payments streamline operations, minimise cash-related errors, and improve financial tracking.
4. Clear Signage for Improved Navigation
Clear signage throughout the parking area helps drivers find their way efficiently, reducing confusion and minimising the time spent searching for spots. This measure aids in preventing congestion and helps drivers locate exits, entry points, and parking bays quickly.
5. Spacious Parking Bays
IPS has provided larger parking bays, allowing drivers to manoeuvre their vehicles more easily, which decreases the likelihood of accidents, scratches, or other minor damages. This leads to fewer complaints from motorists and minimise conflicts over tight spaces, contributing to a smoother and more organised parking experience.
Other than the parking solutions mentioned above, IPS aims to bring about a technological revolution in the parking sector of India through its cutting-edge technology. We offer impeccable parking management services to make parking facilities more efficient and motorist-friendly. Our mission is to create congestion-free parking spaces and provide transparent and personal parking solutions.
