Evening star., 1930-06-08
PUBLIC GARAGES
+ SEENFOR PARKING
Education of Motorists Held
Necessary to Relieve
Traffic Congestion.
BY II. CLIFFORD BROKAW,
Automobile Technical Adviser.

Automobile Technical Adviser.
The motorist has two problems in
connection with parking an automobile.
One is to find a place big enough to
park in; the other is the ability to park
skillfully in whatever space may be
available. This latter problem has
been dealt with before. The former
problem of securing adequate space
for parking is increasingly of interest
to automobile drivers. This increase
in interest grows out of the decrease
in space available, especially in urban
centers.
For instance, in New York City,
recent investigation showed that there
is parking space for only 4 per cent
of the idle automobiles in Manhattan.
The Police Department in this city laid
out 35 designated parking areas which
provide space where 1928 automobiles
can park for maximum of two hours.
The investigation disclosed, however,
that in the middle of the day there
are more than $4,000 cars standing idle
in the streets. Naturally, many OF
these cars represent some obstruction
to traffic.
Situation Is Typical.
While this situation may be unusual
~ critical, it is typical of sort of
condition which is found in all sections
of the United States. 1t represents a
matter which motorists themselves
must take an interest in If they are
going to be able to continue to operate
their automobiles with the satisfaction
they have a right to expect. In New
York City it is declared that traffic
delays and congestion, due to a con-
siderable extent to the lack of parking
space, cost the city $1,000,000 a day.
and $4,000, 100000 year is set down
as a conservative estimate of what these
delays and congestion cost the Nation
for year.
In the metropolis, by way of reliev-
ing such conditions, some of the pro-
posals for traffic reform suggest that
all parking in the streets of the busi-
ness section be prohibited. This sort
of procedure has been undertaken in
Chicago Loop district. Another Sug-
gestion is that there be constructed
garages and municipal parking places
in place of street parking. Another
suggestion has to do with abolition OF
the practice by trucks of backing into
q curb for loading and unloading. In
other words, requiring trucks to prac-
tice side loading and unloading. Most
logical appears to be the possibility OF
development of garages for parking and
municipal parking places. In some
cities it is proposed to destroy the
buildings on old city blocks in order
to make parking spaces.
There appears to be a sort OF natural
reaction on the part of motorists to
put their automobiles in public garages
for parking. If such movement Is TO
succeed there must surely be large
amount of educational work done to
impress upon automobile owners the
value of such a practice. Most likely
this unfavorable reaction to using pub
lie garages grows out of the frequent
handling of these cars in the garages
by incompetent employees. Motorists
also have lost various things out OF
their cars, but the same result might
obtain If cars were left parked in the
streets. There is the idea of a greater
fire risk which, however, is not serious.
Garages Meeting Objections.
To overcome some of these difficult
ties gagageS are making improvements,
some going SO far as to make possible
the parking of cars by electricity, so
that the owner can lock his machine
and take the key away with him. An
other prejudice against the use OF pub
lie garages is the expense involved.
Even though it NAV be worth more
than the small fee charged for parking
In a garage, motorists often nave the
feeling that they are saving that much
by parking in the street. However,
the aNOlQdIlCt VI SuCAA a ACS 40 @AOs
ALWAYS in the interest of economy. 1t
Is certainly worth something to know
that an automobile is under cover and
receiving a certain amount Of care and
protection. This prejudice against pay
ing might be overcome by the COM
munities themselves constructing large
garages for parking, which would be
free to the public, and having the ga
RACES supported by public funds.
municipalities that might not be able
20 secure the public's consent TO use
large amounts Of money on garages
for parking could much more cheaply
provide outdoor parking spaces by
utilizing vacant lots wherever they
might be found. At present such lots
are often used for parking purposes by
private concerns, with fairly large
charges for their services and probably
not as good or no better management
than might be provided by munich
pality. 1t would be no great burden
10 taxpayers for the city to acquire
land in certain sections of the city
away from the crowded business dis
trict, which could be used for parking.
or. at any rate, to lease unused lano
and put it to work.
Mr.. Brokaw will be glad to write on
any subject pertaining to the automo-
bile that a reader may request.