1. Village of East Aurora
Parking Assessment 2017

2. GBNRTC – the Metropolitan Planning Organization
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is a Local Policy-making and Planning Body
Primary Responsibility is Planning and Programming Transportation Improvements in the Region
The MPO ensures federal spending on transportation occurs through a cooperative process
This is how we get federal transportation funding into our projects in the Buffalo-Niagara Region

3. GBNRTC Member Agencies
Niagara County
City of Niagara Falls
City of Buffalo
Erie County
New York State DOT
Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority
New York State Thruway Authority
The Seneca Nation of Indians, the Transportation Council of the Buffalo-Niagara Partnership and the Empire State Development Corporation formally serve as Regional Strategic Stakeholders

4. Local partners working together
Primary responsibility is planning and programming transportation improvements within the 2-county region
Primary Products:
Long Range Transportation Plan
Transportation Improvement Program (Short Range)
Local and Areawide Transportation Studies

5. ROUTE 20A/MAIN STREET RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT
The Vision For Main Street East Aurora
MAY 6th, 2004

6. Transportation Improvement Program
A regionally agreed upon list of priority projects in all modes
Updated at least every four years
Programs all projects for federal funding, along with non-federally funded projects that are regionally significant
TIP approved and working
2017 – 2021 Federal Fiscal Years
Transportation Improvement
Program (TIP)

7. Vision, Goals and Objectives

9. In 2050, our communities will be brimming with opportunities, providing residents with various lifestyle choices and attracting residents, businesses, and investments from all over the world
We’ve made many great partnerships in this process already and we look forward to strengthening these and forming new partnerships as we move into implementation.
Looking at ways to scale up the many good things and projects that are already happening around the region.

10. In 2050, our economy will be globally-competitive with shared prosperity that spreads economic opportunities and benefits to all residents throughout the region.
We’ve made many great partnerships in this process already and we look forward to strengthening these and forming new partnerships as we move into implementation.
Looking at ways to scale up the many good things and projects that are already happening around the region.

11. In 2050, our environment will be ecologically healthy and easily accessible so that all residents and visitors have abundant opportunities to enjoy our region’s world class waterways and open spaces.
We’ve made many great partnerships in this process already and we look forward to strengthening these and forming new partnerships as we move into implementation.
Looking at ways to scale up the many good things and projects that are already happening around the region.

12. In 2050 we will be a Smart and Sustainable Region that uses information and communications technology to improve quality of life, efficiency of regional operations, services and competitiveness
What I’m trying to say and what is important to keep in mind is that we’ve been a home for innovation – certainly in the past.
REDC’s emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship has started to bring that back around.
In 2050……
We’re may be a little behind on some on some of the principles mentioned here, but with the ATDMTC project that Athena is starting to work and spoke on at our Policy Meeting a couple weeks ago, we’ve got a vehicle to get into the game and catch up and if we put our minds to it surpass some of our peers on the innovation front.

13. Village Centers
Enhanced walkability, good sidewalk plans, street crossings, etc for safety and Village feel
Parking management with signage, striping, etc
Internal shuttles, regular service or events
Autonomous circulators offer potential

14. 2017 Parking Assessment and Analysis
GBNRTC conducted a parking space utilization survey of on-street and off-street parking areas for the eastern end of the Village of East Aurora on Saturday, August 5th, 2017, after discussion of a representative Saturday to count
Survey was conducted by observing all public on-street parking spaces as well as public and private off-street parking lots within the study area bounded by Elm St. (western border) and Olean St. (eastern border), Girard Ave. (northern border) and Millard Fillmore Pl. (southern border)
Survey was conducted between the hours of 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM. At the start of each hour, GBNRTC staff counted all occupied on-street and off-street parking spaces

16. Parking Area Identification

17. First Hour Observations
During the first hour of the survey, most on-street parking spaces on Main St were occupied.
On-street areas designated as “5” and “6,” were observed to be at or over capacity. Although on-street parking spaces are clearly marked, parked autos were observed in areas designated “no parking.”
Utilization rates of other on-street parking north of Main Street were identified as low or empty.
Most off-street parking lots were observed to be at 50% capacity or more. Lot “F,” north of Main St and lots “J” and “M” were observed to be near capacity (76%-94%).

18. First Hour

19. Second Hour Observations
On-street parking along Main St during the second hour of the survey (1:00 PM) changed only slightly from the first hour.
No changes were observed to other on-street parking locations north of Main St.
Few changes were observed to off-street parking lots with the exception to lots “E,” “F” and “G,” which gained autos from the previous hour. Lot “F” was observed as “full” during the 1:00 PM hour.

20. Second Hour

21. Third Hour Observations
Few changes were observed during the third hour with the exception of on-street parking area “3,” which was observed as being beyond capacity.
In this instance, two autos were parked in one handicapped parking space.

22. Third Hour

23. Fourth Hour Observations
The fourth hour of the survey saw the greatest utilization of off-street parking lots “E,” “F” and “G.”
At 3:00 PM, it was observed that both lots “F” and “G” were at or near capacity.
There was little change to on-street parking, where most spaces on Main St were occupied and very few on-street spaces utilized just one block north.

24. Fourth Hour

25. Overall Assessment
Overall assessment of on-street and off-street parking in this area of the village is that while on-street parking immediately in front of Main St establishments were highly utilized, there were almost 80 underutilized on-street spaces just one or two blocks north.
The largest off-street parking lot, lot “C,” was observed as having medium occupancy throughout the afternoon.
While lots “E,” “F” and “G” were highly utilized, other private lots such as “A,” “B” and “D” were largely underutilized.
At the top of each hour of this survey, the total occupancy rate of all on-street and off-street parking areas did not exceed 55%.
At 12:00 PM, total occupancy was 45%, 53% at 1:00 PM, 55% at 2:00 PM and 53% at 3:00 PM.
This suggests that the Village of East Aurora has adequate parking for the Saturday afternoon demand

26. Overall Assessment
Despite a near 50% maximum Saturday occupancy rate, it is possible for the village to employ better wayfinding techniques such as signage, website diagrams and parking apps to direct visitors to all parking areas.
The village may also find value in pursing metered parking along Main St. which should provide revenue to the village and encourage some visitors to use other on-street parking options that are currently underutilized.
While less likely to reduce the number of utilized spaces, the implementation of bike share hubs (i.e., Reddy Bike) throughout the village would likely promote more intra-village bicycle trips, appealing to both village residents and visitors.

27. Overall Assessment
The addition of a village-operated shuttle between points-of-interest for special events and holidays may also encourage visitors to utilize remote parking locations and take stress away from prime on-street and off-street parking locations.
The success of a shuttle depends on access and wayfinding to remote parking locations, advertising and frequency
In addition, the village may consider increasing on-street parking capacity by implementing angled parking along Main St.

28. Conclusion
In conclusion, the findings of GBNRTC’s survey suggest that the eastern portion of the Village of East Aurora has adequate parking for its Saturday demand.
Enhancements to existing parking signage is encouraged and further enhancements such as online parking information, parking app technology and a special-use shuttle should be considered for further evaluation.
Construction of additional parking capacity does not appear warranted based on current demand.