The comprehensive parking plan should include an entity for coordinating and implementing the plan and allow for future funding of downtown transit services. Other cities such as Portland have been successful in using a private nonprofit corporation to enforce their parking master plan. Placing one entity in charge provides consistency in development of new parking facilities. An existing organization with a proven interest in downtown issues should be given the responsibilily for parking. The City should adopt a policy and adequately fund a program of pedestrian infrastructure improvements and downtown traffic calming.
Downtown is a high pedestrian traffic area.
The City should recognize the potential to promote walking by creating a more pedestrian friendly environment. D. The City should analyze and decide in the next three months if a downtown rail trolley is feasible. With the assistance of ATS who is currently studying use of a trolley, Austin should consider the need for a downtown circulator rail system. A downtown internal route trolley could connect to intermodal centers that include parking, rail and bus service. E. The City should change city ordinances to allow for shared ride taxi service, flat rate zones, and jitney services.