Mayor Tom Barrett and the Department of Public Works Announce New Advanced Parking Guidance System in Downtown Milwaukee
Electronic signs with parking information are “live”
City Advanced Parking Guidance Sign.
Just in time for Summerfest 2014, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and the Department of Public Works announce that the first phase of the Advanced Parking Guidance System (“system”) is now up and running in the downtown area. This exciting new system is the first of its type in the State of Wisconsin, with relatively few of these systems operating in the United States to date.
How the system works: Eleven electronic and two static signs have been installed in various downtown locations. The signs provide drivers with real-time parking availability information and direct them to participating parking structures downtown. These signs closely resemble the decorative pedestrian way-finding signage that has been installed in many areas of downtown.
Sign locations were carefully chosen to capture the attention of drivers entering downtown from major freeway ramps or arterial roadways. The 13 signs guide drivers at critical decision points towards participating structures with available parking. Participating parking structures will be identified on the signs by their addresses. Once a driver has selected a particular parking structure the system will direct them to the entrance of that structure using more conventional parking facility signs.
Project goals include:
- Guide summer festival attendees and downtown visitors/workers to available parking
- Build on the “Park Once” concept and the Downtown Master Plan – Drivers find one parking spot and then walk or use public transit to move around downtown and the lakefront
- Relieve traffic congestion near the Maier Festival Grounds and enhances pedestrian safety by reducing vehicles “circling”, looking for a parking spot
- Less congestion = Better air quality
- Increase occupancy rates for downtown parking operations
“The new Advanced Parking Guidance System is a great way for visitors and City residents to find their way to available parking in downtown Milwaukee,” said Mayor Barrett. “I encourage everyone to ‘Park Once’, and then enjoy all that Downtown Milwaukee and our beautiful lakefront have to offer.”
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
Recent Press Releases by City of Milwaukee
Good case of win-win-win planning for cars, transit, and pedestrians.