Parking Study

This parking study was initiated to help understand parking supply and parking demand within
Oneida City Center. The parking study was performed and analyzed by the Madison County
Planning Department. With parking, especially downtown parking, there is often a mismatch
between reality and perception. Thus, quantifying actual usage through a parking study is
extremely valuable in understanding the true parking demand of an area. This study will also
serve as a baseline to monitor changes over time because demand for parking is one indicator
of economic and social activity in downtown Oneida.

Study Area

MA
IN
ST

Study Area/Parking Supply

Five parking areas within Oneida City Center were considered during this study. In total there
are 207 spaces within the parking study area.

Parking Lot 1: Main St (across from City Hall) consists of 35 parking spaces.
Parking Lot 2: Oneida St (west) parking lot consists of 45 angled parking spaces (23 on
the south side of Oneida St and 22 on the north side).
Parking Lot 3: Oneida St (east) consist of 39 angled parking spaces.
Parking Lot 4: Freighthouse Alley parking lot consists of 36 angled parking spaces.
Parking Lot 5: City Hall parking lot consists of 52 parking spaces.

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Assessing Parking Demand

According to How to do a Parking Study by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council: Knowing
occupancy allows you to determine whether or not you have enough parking. Occupancies of
85-90% or just below are ideal - the demand is being met without waste. High occupancies
in one area combined with lower occupancies nearby indicate a parking management
problem and a need to figure out how to get some of the excess demand to use the nearby
available supply (lack of knowledge of nearby spaces or restrictions on who can park there are
two examples).

Evaluation Period

The study for these five lots took place for one week, January 9-15, 2016. For each day during
that week, counts were taken at three different times: 9:00 am, 12:00 (noon), and 7:00 pm.
Any vehicle observed parked within one of the five study area parking lots during this
evaluation period was counted (Attachment A).

Using aerial photos (made available through Pictometry), counts are also included for the dates
of April 19, 2015; April 7, 2012; April 19, 2010; May 5, 2008; and April 9, 2006. These aerial
photos were taken between 11-2 pm. While these historic images are consistent with the
current findings, the counts observed in these aerials were not included in this data analysis and
are provided as a historic reference only and demonstration of an overall trend (Attachment B).

Findings

Ample parking opportunity was observed within these five lots serving City Center; in fact, the
majority of the time excess parking is available. Overall, the most underutilized lots are Oneida
St (East) and Freighthouse Alley while the most used lots are Oneida Street (West) and the
Main Street lot. However, even the most used lots were observed to provide abundant parking
opportunity within City Center.

Each lot was also analyzed for peak and non-peak time, weekday vs weekend parking and day vs
evening parking. The results for each lot are listed in order from the highest to lowest demand.

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1. Oneida Street (West) (Lot 2)
Overall: The parking lot with the highest demand is Oneida Street (West), but even
this parking lot is less than half full on average. On average only 18 of the 45 spots
are occupied (or 39.6%). Table 1

Peak and Non-Peak Time: The only time the lot was ever more than full was on Friday
at 9 am where the lot was 91% full (41 of the 45 spots). This peak demand time can be
explained by a specific event: Friday morning is the time the City holds traffic court. By
noon on that same day only 29 of the 45 spots were taken (64%) and at 7:00 pm only one
vehicle was parked in this lot (2.2%), which was also the lots least busy time. Table 2

Weekday vs. Weekend: This lot is more popular during the week vs the weekend. On
average the lot was only 14.8% full during the weekend while 49.5% full during the
week. Table 3

Day vs. Evening: Most parking occurs in this lot during the day vs the evening. In the
morning 51.7% (or 23 of the 45) spots were observed to be taken. For lunch (noon) it
was 47.3%. The evening has significantly less demand with an average of 9 cars parked
in this lot around 7 pm. Table 3

Photo: Oneida Street (West) lot on Tuesday, January 12th at noon.

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 2. Main St (Lot 1):
Overall: The second most popular parking lot is along Main Street, but on average this
parking lot is only about 1/3 full at any one time. On average only 13 of the 35 spots are
occupied (or 36.8%). Table 1

Peak and Non-Peak Time: The only time the lot was ever more than full was again on
Friday at 9 am where the lot was 88.6% full (31of the 35 spots). Again, this peak
demand can be explained by a specific event: Friday morning is the time the City holds
traffic court. As the day progressed the number of spaces taken declined: by noon 25 of
the 35 spots were taken (71.4%) and at 7:00 pm 21 of the 35 spots were taken (60%).
The least busy time observed was Wednesday evening where at 7:00 pm the lot was
empty with zero vehicles parked in this lot. Table 2

Weekday vs. Weekend: This lot is more popular during the week vs the weekend. On
average the lot was only 23.8% full during the weekend while 48.6% full during the
week. The busiest time on the weekend was Saturday morning (9:00 am) with 20 of the
35 spots parked in. Table 3

Day vs. Evening: Most parking occurs in this lot during the day vs the evening. In the
morning 53.5% (or 19 of the 35) spots were observed to be taken. For lunch (noon) it
was 48.2%. The evening has significantly less demand: around 7:00 pm, only 22.9% (or
8 of 35) of the spots are parked in. Table 3

Photo: Main St Parking lot on Saturday at 9 am. This was the lots busiest time on the weekend
with other weekend counts much lower (for example, only 2 cars were observed in this lot at the
same time on Sunday morning).

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 3. City Hall (Lot 5)
Overall: On average, this parking lot is only about 1/3 full at any one time. On average
only 18 of the 52 spots are occupied (or 35%). It is worth noting approximately 10-12
vehicles in this lot seem to have permanent parking spaces here (for example, an
American Red Cross van and older police cars). This parking lot was dubbed the City
Hall lot because many of the Citys employees park here. This is also reflected in that
the numbers observed fluctuated less than in other lots, presumably because the same
employees are parking here each day for work. Table 1

Peak and Non-Peak Time: On only three occasions was the lot above half full. The
busiest time was Thursday at 9 am where the lot was 61.5% full (32 of the 52 spots).
The least busy time observed was Saturday at noon with only 17.3% (9 of 52) spots
taken. Table 2

Weekday vs. Weekend: This lot is more popular during the week vs the weekend. On
average the lot was only 24% full during the weekend while 39.4% full during the week.
Again, the fluctuation between the weekend and weekday is less than in other lots likely
due to some municipal-owned vehicles that have permanent parking spots here. Table 3

Day vs. Evening: Most parking occurs in this lot during the day vs the evening. During
the day, the lot is a little under 1/2 full dropping to about 1/5 full in the evening. Table
3

Photo: the City Hall lot on Monday, January 11th at noon. It was observed that some of the
vehicles (around 10-12) are a part of the City of Oneida municipal vehicle fleet and have
permanent (overnight) parking spaces here.

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 4. Freighthouse Alley (Lot 4)
Overall: On average, this parking lot is only about 14.8% full at any one time (or about 5
of 36 spaces taken at any time). Table 1

Peak and Non-Peak Time: This lot is hardly ever more than full. The busiest time was
Tuesday evening where the lot was 38.9% full (14 of the 36 spots). The least busy time
observed was Sunday evening where at 7:00 pm the lot was empty with zero vehicles
parked in this lot. Table 2

Weekday vs. Weekend: This lot is more popular during the week vs the weekend. On
average the lot was only 7.9% full during the weekend while 17.6% full during the
week. Table 3

Day vs. Evening: This is the only parking lot in the study where on an average the
evening parking demand was higher than a point during the day. In the evening (7 pm)
the lot had an average occupancy of 13.5% while in the morning (9 am) only 10.3% of
the lots spaces were taken. The most popular time overall was lunch when on average
the lot was 20.6% full. Table 3

Photo: Freighthouse Alley Parking lot (on the left of the median) on Monday, January 11th at
noon.

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 5. Oneida Street (East) (Lot 3)
Overall: The parking lot with the least demand is Oneida Street (East) with an average
use of only 9.3% at any one time or in other words only 4 vehicles on average were
parked in this lot at a time (out of 39 spaces). Table 1

Peak and Non-Peak Time: The overwhelming amount of time there were only 1-3 cars
observed and on one occasion zero cars were observed in this lot. The only exception to
this lot being empty or nearly empty is on Sunday at noon where 24 of the 39 spots
(61.5%) were taken. We assume that this was due to a church service being held at the
nearby Church of the Rock. The remainder of the time, the lot never had more than 6 cars
parked in it. The least busy time was Monday morning (9 am) where zero cars were
parked in the lot. Table 2

Weekday vs. Weekend: This is the only lot where there was (slightly) higher demand on
the weekend than the weekday. On average 6 cars were parked in this lot on the weekend
while during the week only about 3 out of the 39 spaces were taken. Table 3

Day vs. Evening: Slightly more parking occurs in this lot during the day vs the evening.
In the morning (9am) the average was 3 spaces taken while at noon the average was 6
and in the evening (7 pm) the average was 2 spaces taken. Table 3

Photo: Oneida Street (East) lot on Saturday, January 9th at 12:00 (noon)

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Conclusion

Ample parking opportunity was observed within these five lots serving City Center; in fact,
the majority of the time excess parking is available. Overall, the most underutilized lots
are Oneida St (East) and Freighthouse Alley while the most used lots are Oneida Street
West and the Main Street lot. However, even the most used lots were observed to provide
abundant parking opportunity within City Center.

Within this study area, the parking supply exceeds parking demand with average occupancies of
the lots ranging from 9.3% to 39.6%. This means that out of the 207 parking spaces in this
area there are on average 149 spaces empty and available. It is important to provide parking
to employees, residents and patrons, but excess parking is not only unnecessary but takes up
valuable space especially within in a City Center.
Table 1
Parking Lot Average Occupancy
Main St 36.8%
Oneida St (west) 39.6%
Oneida St (east) 9.3%
Frieghthouse Alley 14.8%
City Hall 35.0%

Parking supply and demand is most efficient with occupancies of 85-90%. At this amount
the demand is being met without waste. Occupancies of 85-90% were only observed twice
in this area. Once in the Oneida St (West) parking lot where on Friday, 9 a.m. the lot was
91.1% full and once on Main St where again on Friday, 9 a.m. that lot was 88.6% full (this due
to traffic court held at this time). At all other times these and the other lots were always less
than full and at no time was any lot observed to be 100% full. It should be noted that parking
size should never be planned around peak events (for example, planning parking size around the
demand on Black Friday shopping day). Occupancy rates in this area demonstrate a high
fluctuation between peak and non-peak times.
Table 2
Parking Lot Peak Occupancy Non Peak Occupancy
Occupancy Time Occupancy Time
Main St 88.6% Friday a.m. 0% Weds p.m.
Oneida St (west) 91.1% Friday a.m. 2.2% Fri p.m.
Oneida St (east) 61.5% Sunday noon 0% Mon a.m.
Frieghthouse Alley 38.9% Tues p.m. 0% Sunday p.m.
City Hall 61.5% Thurs a.m. 17.3% Sat noon
Note: in this study, a.m. = 9 am and p.m. = 7pm

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 Another trend that was observed within these lots was that even when one lot reached a
higher occupancy it was surrounded by lots that were significantly less full. This reflects a
parking mismatch which can be mitigated by taking fuller advantage of other parking in the
area. For example, on Friday mornings when the Oneida Street west parking lot was at 91.1%
occupancy, Oneida Street east (the parking lot across the street) was virtually empty with only 6
of 39 spaces taken (or 15.4% occupied).

Other trends observed during this parking study is that overall, there is a higher parking
demand during the day vs the evening and during the weekday vs the weekend.
Table 3
Avg Main St Oneida St Oneida Frieghthouse City Hall Total % of 207
Parking (west) St (east) Alley Spaces
Spaces
Used
During
Weekend 8 23.8% 7 14.8% 6 15.0% 3 7.9% 13 24.0% 36 17.5% 8 23.8%
Weekday 17 48.6% 22 49.5% 3 7.0% 6 17.6% 20 39.4% 69 33.2% 17 48.6%
Morning 19 53.5% 23 51.7% 3 6.6% 4 10.3% 24 45.6% 72 34.8% 19 53.5%
Lunch 17 48.2% 21 47.3% 6 15.8% 7 20.6% 19 37.4% 71 34.4% 17 48.2%
Evening 8 22.9% 9 19.7% 2 5.5% 5 13.5% 11 22.0% 35 17.0% 8 22.9%

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 ORTDowntownOneidaParkingStudy ObservedOccupiedSpaces
Date DayofWeek Time 1.MainSt(35) 2.OneidaSt(west)(45) 3.OneidaSt(east)(39) 4.FreighthouseAlley(36) 5.CityHall(52) Weather
1/9/2016 Saturday 9:00AM 20 57.1% 5 11.1% 3 7.7% 1 2.8% 21 40.4% 35degrees,overcast
1/9/2016 Saturday 12:00PM 15 42.9% 17 37.8% 2 5.1% 4 11.1% 9 17.3% 40degrees,overcast
1/9/2016 Saturday 7:00PM 4 11.4% 10 22.2% 1 2.6% 2 5.6% 10 19.2% 38degrees,overcast
10Jan16 Sunday 9:00AM 2 5.7% 2 4.4% 3 7.7% 3 8.3% 11 21.2% 40degrees,raining
10Jan16 Sunday 12:00PM 4 11.4% 3 6.7% 24 61.5% 7 19.4% 11 21.2% 47degrees,overcast
10Jan16 Sunday 7:00PM 5 14.3% 3 6.7% 2 5.1% 0 0.0% 13 25.0% 41degrees,lightrain
11Jan16 Monday 9:00AM 7 20.0% 25 55.6% 0 0.0% 3 8.3% 27 51.9% 20degrees,sunny
11Jan16 Monday 12:00PM 10 28.6% 22 48.9% 2 5.1% 6 16.7% 25 48.1% 25degrees,sunny+windy
11Jan16 Monday 7:00PM 8 22.9% 13 28.9% 1 2.6% 3 8.3% 12 23.1% 20degrees,windy
12Jan16 Tuesday 9:00AM 23 65.7% 31 68.9% 3 7.7% 3 8.3% 24 46.2% 25degrees,overcast
12Jan16 Tuesday 12:00PM 25 71.4% 25 55.6% 3 7.7% 6 16.7% 24 46.2% 31degrees,overcast
12Jan16 Tuesday 6:00PM 11 31.4% 9 20.0% 3 7.7% 14 38.9% 12 23.1% 28degrees,snowing
13Jan16 Wednesday 9:00AM 24 68.6% 28 62.2% 1 2.6% 9 25.0% 24 46.2% 19degrees,heavysnow
13Jan16 Wednesday 12:00PM 16 45.7% 26 57.8% 4 10.3% 9 25.0% 22 42.3% 20degrees,sunny
13Jan16 Wednesday 7:00PM 0 0.0% 17 37.8% 2 5.1% 2 5.6% 10 19.2% 14degrees,clear
14Jan16 Thursday 9:00AM 24 68.6% 31 68.9% 2 5.1% 6 16.7% 32 61.5% 23degrees,sunny
14Jan16 Thursday 12:00PM 23 65.7% 27 60.0% 2 5.1% 10 27.8% 23 44.2% 28degrees,sunny
14Jan16 Thursday 6:00PM 7 20.0% 9 20.0% 2 5.1% 5 13.9% 12 23.1% 22degrees,overcast
15Jan16 Friday 9:00AM 31 88.6% 41 91.1% 6 15.4% 1 2.8% 27 51.9% 35degrees,cloudy
15Jan16 Friday 12:00PM 25 71.4% 29 64.4% 6 15.4% 10 27.8% 22 42.3% 37degrees,cloudy
15Jan16 Friday 7:00PM 21 60.0% 1 2.2% 4 10.3% 8 22.2% 11 21.2% 34degrees,clear
TotalSpacesAvailable: 35 45 39 36 52
OverallAveragesofParkingSpacesUsed: 13 36.8% 18 39.6% 4 9.3% 5 14.8% 18 35.0%

Attachment A
PictometryImages 1.MainSt(35)
4/19/2015 Sunday 112PM 5 14.3%
4/7/2012 Saturday 112PM 6 17.1%
4/19/2010 Monday 112PM 8 22.9%
5/5/2008 Monday 112PM 10 28.6%
4/9/2006 Sunday 112PM 1 2.9%
2.OneidaSt(west)(45) 3.OneidaSt(east)(39) 4.FreighthouseAlley(36) 5.CityHall(52)
8 17.8% 0 0.0% 7 19.4% 10 19.2%
9 20.0% 1 2.6% 1 2.8% 9 17.3%
35 77.8% 2 5.1% 6 16.7% 29 55.8%
28 62.2% 9 23.1% 6 16.7% 23 44.2%
21 46.7% 0 0.0% 1 2.8% 16 30.8%

Using aerial photos (made available through Pictometry), counts are also included for the dates of April 19, 2015; April 7, 2012; April 19,
2010; May 5, 2008; and April 9, 2006. These aerial photos were taken between 11-2 pm. While these historic images are consistent with the
current findings, the counts observed in the photos were not included in this data analysis and are provided as a historic reference only and
demonstration of an overall trend.

Attachment B
Sunday April 19, 2015 (11AM 2PM)

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4

2
Saturday April 7, 2012 (11AM 2PM)

3
4

2
Monday April 19, 2010 (11AM 2PM)

3
4

2
Monday May 5, 2008 (11AM 2PM)

1
3
4

2
Sunday April 9, 2006 (11AM 2PM)

3
4