Parking violations as an economic gamble for public space. (February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gössling, Stefan; Humpe, Andreas; Hologa, Rafael; Riach, Nils; Freytag, Tim
• Is Part Of: Transport policy. Volume 116(2022)
• Page Start: 248
• Page End: 257
• Publication Date: 2022-02
• Subjects: Congestion -- Parking fees -- Parking violations -- Urban planning -- Public space -- Transport policy; Transportation and state -- Periodicals; Transportation -- Rates -- Periodicals; 388
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tranpol.2021.12.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0967-070X

Abstract

Abstract: Parking fees and fines represent contested issues in cities, as they conflict with vehicle owners' opinion over 'rights' to public space. As cities have moved to regulate vehicle density by introducing parking fees, a share of drivers may feel compelled to 'cheat', weighing the price of parking fees against the cost of fines, or to simply park illegally outside designated areas. To better understand these interrelationships, this paper considers negotiations of public space as an economic gamble that can be assessed on the basis of parking violations. The study is situated in Freiburg, Germany, and relies on a mixed-methods approach that investigates the views of the regulatory agency and its enforcement officers, as well as registered parking violations (n = 181, 735, in 2019). Time-spatial probabilities of being fined when parking illegally are calculated as risks, defined as detection probability per "hexagon-hour", an indicator integrating space and time. Results confirm that in the inner city, it is economically rational not to pay parking fees during 86.1% of hexagon-hours, and in surrounding areas during 99.9% of the time. Findings confirm that urban space can be negotiated in an equilibrium of fees, fines and controls. To make vehicle ownership and use less attractive, the price of parking needs to be high. Fines need to be high in relation to fees, and control densities need to constitute significant detection risks. Highlights: Portrays public space as a resource car owners may feel entitled to use for free. Shows that low fines set by the federal government encourage parking violations. Finds that fees, fines and controls are in an equilibrium. Concludes that its economically rational to engage in parking violations. Suggests that cities control violations and strictly interpret parking codes.