City of Hermosa Beach Beach Access and Parking Study. Submitted by. 600 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1050 Los Angeles, CA

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "City of Hermosa Beach Beach Access and Parking Study. Submitted by. 600 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1050 Los Angeles, CA"

Elwin Dorsey
5 years ago
Views:

1 City of Hermosa Beach Beach Access and Parking Study Submitted by 600 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1050 Los Angeles, CA January 2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction to the Beach Access and Parking Study... 2 Coastal Zone Visitors.

.. 7 Parking in the Coastal Zone... 9 Parking Conditions... 9 Sources.

.. 3 Figure 2 Origin and Number of Coastal Zone Visitors on a Weekday Afternoon.

.. 6 Figure 4 Origin and Number of Coastal Zone Visitors on a Weekend Afternoon.

.. 11 Figure 7 Coastal Zone Public Parking Occupancy Density on a Weekday Afternoon.

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction to the Beach Access and Parking Study... 2 Coastal Zone Visitors... 4 Methodology and Findings... 4 Coastal Zone Mode Share... 7 Mode Share... 7 Parking in the Coastal Zone... 9 Parking Conditions... 9 Sources LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1 Study Area... 3 Figure 2 Origin and Number of Coastal Zone Visitors on a Weekday Afternoon... 5 Figure 3 Origin and Number of Coastal Zone Visitors on a Weekday Evening... 6 Figure 4 Origin and Number of Coastal Zone Visitors on a Weekend Afternoon... 6 Figure 5 Coastal Zone Public Parking Supply Figure 6 Public Parking Restrictions Figure 7 Coastal Zone Public Parking Occupancy Density on a Weekday Afternoon Figure 8 Coastal Zone Public Parking Occupancy Density on a Weekday Evening Figure 9 Coastal Zone Public Parking Occupancy Density on a Weekend Afternoon Figure 10 Coastal Zone Public Parking Occupancy by Parking Permit Holders on a Weekday Afternoon... 17

3 Figure 11 Coastal Zone Public Parking Occupancy by Parking Permit Holders on a Weekday Evening Figure 12 Coastal Zone Public Parking Occupancy by Parking Permit Holders on a Weekend Afternoon Figure 13 Car2Go Vehicles Parked in the Coastal Zone LIST OF TABLES Table 1 Hermosa Beach Population and Coastal Zone Visitors... 4 Table 2 Coastal Zone Trip Length from Home Destination... 5 Table 3 Mode Share... 7 Table 4 Bicycle Activity on the Strand... 8 Table 5 Coastal Zone Public Parking Supply... 9 Table 6 Coastal Zone Parking Occupancy Table 7 Coastal Zone Parking Occupancy by Parking Permit Holders 16 Table 8 Occupancy in Public Parking Lots A C Table 9 Car2Go Vehicles Parked in the Coastal Zone... 21

4 INTRODUCTION TO THE BEACH ACCESS AND PARKING STUDY In the summer of 2014, Fehr & Peers conducted a detailed parking inventory and occupancy survey in the City of Hermosa Beach Coastal Zone (Coastal Zone) to document existing access and parking conditions during the peak summer beach season. The Coastal Zone extends from the north to the south city limits, and east from the beach to approximately Valley Drive (see Figure 1). The methods, locations, and time periods for the survey data collection were directed by City staff and reflect input from the consultant team working on the updates to the General Plan and the Local Coastal Plan as well as the Hermosa Police Department. The City has a long and successful history of managing public parking resources, and this inventory and survey is intended to support ongoing management decisions. Data collected include information related to three aspects of coastal visitation and access: 1. Coastal Zone visitors both in terms of their number and the origin of their trip 2. Coastal Zone mode share summarizing data from an in-person beach area survey, and 3. Parking in the Coastal Zone including parking supply, regulations, and occupancy levels This document is structured as a summary of the data and does not include recommendations or suggested changes to parking standards, additional parking supply or management policies. Key observations revealed in analysis of the survey data are discussed in greater detail in the sections to follow. 2

5 Figure 1 Study Area Introduction Hermosa Beach Beach Access and Parking Study 3

6 COASTAL ZONE VISITORS METHODOLOGY AND FINDINGS Data Collection Methodology Coastal Zone visitor origin data was collected using cell phone and other GPS device data, which provides a robust data set covering a broad area. Data is collected from all types of mobile phones, not just smartphones. The data set is scrubbed of all personally identifiable information, and uses an algorithm to determine a mobile phone user s home location based on the phone s usual stationary nighttime coordinates. For the Coastal Zone analysis, data was collected on all mobile signals active within the Coastal Zone during similar time periods to those in which the parking occupancy survey was conducted, including on weekday afternoons, weekday evenings, and weekend afternoons. To avoid counting vehicles driving through, but not stopping in, the Coastal Zone, mobile signals were only considered as a visitor if they stopped for a minimum continuous five to seven minute period within the Coastal Zone (i.e., for a longer period of time than a driver stopped at a red light would wait for a green signal). Results present the number and origin location of visitors to the Coastal Zone during the selected times of day, averaged from a year s worth of data, excluding holiday periods. Number of Coastal Zone Visitors Cell phone data revealed that the total number of residents and visitors inside the Coastal Zone on a weekday afternoon number almost 50,000, or more than 2.5 times the total city population (approximately 20,000). On a weekday evening, the number of people within the Coastal Zone grows to just over 60,000 people, and on a weekend afternoon, the number of people in the Coastal Zone swells incredibly to almost 110,000 five and a half times the total city population. Table 1 presents the number of visitors to the Coastal Zone in each surveyed time period. Table 1 Hermosa Beach Population and Coastal Zone Visitors Area Population City of Hermosa Beach 19,535 Coastal Zone - Weekday Afternoon 48,600 Coastal Zone - Weekday Evening 60,500 Coastal Zone - Weekend Afternoon 108,000 Coastal Zone Visitor Origin At all times, a majority of visitors to the Coastal Zone are local, originating within a radius of 10 miles from neighboring communities such as Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, El Segundo, and Torrance. Of the three surveyed time periods, the percentage of local visitors is highest on a weekday evening, when 80 percent of people in the Coastal Zone come from 10 miles away or less. The percentage of local visitors is lowest on weekend afternoons, when only 66 percent of the total number of people in the Coastal Zone 4

7 come from 10 miles away or less. However, because the total number of visitors to the Coastal Zone is so much higher on a weekend afternoon as compared to a weekday evening, the number of local visitors represented in the 66 percent (71,000) is higher than even the total number of people in the Coastal Zone from any distance on a weekday. In all surveyed time periods, between five and 10 percent of people in the Coastal Zone (or between 3,000 and 9,000 people) come from more than 100 miles away and likely arrived to the area from one of the regional airports including LAX or Long Beach. Table 2 presents the percent of visitors to the Coastal Zone from varying differences during each surveyed time period. Figure 2, Figure 3, and Figure 4 illustrate the origin of visitors to the Coastal Zone during a weekday afternoon, weekday evening, and weekend afternoon, respectively. Table 2 Coastal Zone Trip Length from Home Destination Weekday Afternoon Weekday Evening Weekend Afternoon Total Visitors 48,600 60, ,000 Home Destination Count Percent Count Percent Count Percent < 3 miles 19,000 38% 30,000 50% 41,000 36% 3-10 miles 16,000 33% 18,000 30% 30,000 30% miles 10,000 21% 9,000 15% 25,000 24% miles 600 1% 500 1% 3,000 2% miles 3,000 7% 3,000 5% 9,000 8% Figure 2 Origin and Number of Coastal Zone Visitors on a Weekday Afternoon Coastal Zone Visitors Hermosa Beach Beach Access and Parking Study 5

8 Figure 3 Origin and Number of Coastal Zone Visitors on a Weekday Evening Figure 4 Origin and Number of Coastal Zone Visitors on a Weekend Afternoon 6

COASTAL ZONE MODE SHARE MODE SHARE The most reliable source of data on mode share comes from 74 responses collected in a Beach Area Survey conducted in August 2014 by members of the Hermosa Beach

According to the Beach Area Survey, 40 percent of beach area visitors arrived by walking, 56 percent drove, and the remaining four percent biked, skateboarded, or were dropped off in a taxi or

9 COASTAL ZONE MODE SHARE MODE SHARE The most reliable source of data on mode share comes from 74 responses collected in a Beach Area Survey conducted in August 2014 by members of the Hermosa Beach General Plan Update team, and from video of bicycle activity on the Strand recorded over four days in August According to the Beach Area Survey, 40 percent of beach area visitors arrived by walking, 56 percent drove, and the remaining four percent biked, skateboarded, or were dropped off in a taxi or another vehicle. No beach area visitors reported using public transit. Table 3 illustrates beach area visitor mode share, as collected in the Beach Area Survey. As a comparison, Hermosa Beach citywide commute mode share, excluding workers who work from home, is also presented. Table 3 Mode Share 2% Beach Area Visitor Mode Share City of Hermosa Beach Citywide Commute Mode Share (Excluding Workers Who Work From Home) The number of beach area visitors who arrived by bicycle may be underreported as few bicyclists stopped to take the survey. Video taken on the Strand just north of Pier Avenue suggests that the number of area visitors bicycling to or on the beach is extremely high: 300 bicyclists were observed during one hour on a weekday afternoon, over 400 bicyclists in one hour on a weekday evening, and almost 1,000 bicyclists in one hour on a weekend afternoon. Table 4 presents bicycle activity by bicyclist classification on the Strand during each surveyed time period. Coastal Zone Mode Share Hermosa Beach Beach Access and Parking Study 7

Table 4 Bicycle Activity on the Strand Weekday Afternoon Weekday Evening Weekend Afternoon Overall 293 413 966 Bicycle Enthusiast 8 3 40 Adult Male 173 223 572 Adult Female

10 Table 4 Bicycle Activity on the Strand Weekday Afternoon Weekday Evening Weekend Afternoon Overall Bicycle Enthusiast Adult Male Adult Female Child Adult w/ child in child seat/trailer * Bicycle enthusiast may be male or female, and was identified as wearing spandex bicycle clothing ` 8

11 PARKING IN THE COASTAL ZONE PARKING CONDITIONS Methodology A parking inventory was conducted first. On every street segment within the Coastal Zone, the following variables were observed and recorded: the number and type of parking spaces, all posted restrictions, and the cost to park. Following the inventory, an occupancy survey was conducted on Saturday, August 2 and Tuesday, August 5. Per the City s direction, occupancy counts were collected on Saturday and Tuesday afternoons between 2:00 and 3:00 PM to collect data during the peak beach visitation period, and on Tuesday evening between 7:00 and 8:00 PM during the peak weekday evening restaurant dinner hour. Observations included whether a parking space was occupied, and if it was occupied by a vehicle displaying a Residential Parking Permit sticker or tag. Coastal Zone Public Parking Supply There are approximately 4,400 public parking spaces in the Coastal Zone. Of the 4,400 spaces, more than 400 can be found in one of three public parking lots located west of Hermosa Avenue near the beach, while approximately 1,500 of the on-street spaces are metered. For purposes of analysis, and with input from City of Hermosa Beach staff, the Coastal Zone was divided into three subzones with the following geographic limits: Zone 1 North City Limit 16 th Street Primarily Residential land use Zone 2 16 th Street 8 th Street Primarily Commercial land use Zone 3 8 th Street South City Limit Primarily Residential land use Zone 1 has the greatest concentration of public parking in the Coastal Zone. Table 5 presents the number and type of public parking spaces available in each analysis subzone. Figure 5 illustrates the number of public parking spaces available on each analyzed street segment and in each of the three public parking lots. Figure 6 illustrates metered and unmetered parking restrictions on each analyzed segment. Table 5 Coastal Zone Public Parking Supply Area Metered Unmetered Parking Lot Total Overall 1,512 2, ,397 Zone ,394-2,016 Zone ,611 Zone Parking in the Coastal Zone Hermosa Beach Beach Access and Parking Study 9

12 10 Figure 5 Coastal Zone Public Parking Supply

13 Figure 6 Public Parking Restrictions Parking in the Coastal Zone Hermosa Beach Beach Access and Parking Study 11

14 Coastal Zone Public Parking Occupancy Occupancy in the Coastal Zone is lightest on weekday afternoons and heaviest on weekend afternoons, with occupancy on weekday evenings more similar to that of afternoons on weekdays than on weekends. Geographically, utilization of parking spaces is highest in Zone 1, with more than twice as many spaces occupied in Zone 1 than in Zone 3 in each surveyed time period. Despite this, occupancy rates (the percent of spaces which are occupied, as opposed to the number of spaces occupied) are highest in Zone 3 due to the unequal distribution of parking spaces between subzones. In Zone 3 on Saturday afternoons, the parking supply nears capacity with an occupancy rate of 98 percent. Overall occupancy in the entire Coastal Zone never exceeds 80 percent. Table 6 presents the number and percent of occupied Coastal Zone public parking spaces cumulatively and in each subzone across the analyzed time periods. Figure 7, Figure 8, and Figure 9 present density maps highlighting high occupancy areas in the Coastal Zone during a weekday afternoon, weekday evening, and weekend afternoon, respectively. Table 6 Coastal Zone Parking Occupancy Area Weekday Afternoon Weekday Evening Weekend Afternoon Overall 2,367 54% 2,756 63% 3,470 79% Zone 1 1,118 55% 1,317 65% 1,712 85% Zone % % 1,005 62% Zone % % % 12

15 Figure 7 Coastal Zone Public Parking Occupancy Density on a Weekday Afternoon Parking in the Coastal Zone Hermosa Beach Beach Access and Parking Study 13

16 14 Figure 8 Coastal Zone Public Parking Occupancy Density on a Weekday Evening

17 Figure 9 Coastal Zone Public Parking Occupancy Density on a Weekend Afternoon Parking in the Coastal Zone Hermosa Beach Beach Access and Parking Study 15

Residential Permit Parking in the Coastal Zone The geographic borders of the Residential Parking Permit District are nearly contiguous with the Coastal Zone boundary (see Figure 1).

18 Residential Permit Parking in the Coastal Zone The geographic borders of the Residential Parking Permit District are nearly contiguous with the Coastal Zone boundary (see Figure 1). Residential parking permit holders are entitled to park at 24-hour meters without paying the meter or in one hour residential zones without regard to the time limit for up to 72 hours. Employees of local businesses are also entitled to purchase parking permits for an additional fee. Occupancy by residential parking permit holders within the Coastal Zone is heaviest in the evening and on weekends, when almost half of all spaces are occupied by permit holders. In Zone 3 on weekends, permit holders consume almost the entire parking supply (85 percent). Table 7 presents the percent of public parking spaces in each subzone occupied by a parking permit holder s vehicle across the three analyzed time periods. Figure 10, Figure 11, and Figure 12 present occupancy maps showing occupancy by parking permit holders during a weekday afternoon, weekday evening, and weekend afternoon, respectively. Table 7 Coastal Zone Parking Occupancy by Parking Permit Holders 16 Area Weekday Afternoon Weekday Evening Weekend Afternoon Overall 28% 40% 44% Zone 1 30% 45% 46% Zone 2 20% 25% 22% Zone 3 37% 61% 85%

19 Figure 10 Coastal Zone Public Parking Occupancy by Parking Permit Holders on a Weekday Afternoon Parking in the Coastal Zone Hermosa Beach Beach Access and Parking Study 17

20 18 Figure 11 Coastal Zone Public Parking Occupancy by Parking Permit Holders on a Weekday Evening

21 Figure 12 Coastal Zone Public Parking Occupancy by Parking Permit Holders on a Weekend Afternoon Parking in the Coastal Zone Hermosa Beach Beach Access and Parking Study 19

Occupancy in Public Beach Parking Lots A total of 428 parking spaces are provided in three public parking facilities, Lots A C, which are located between Hermosa Avenue and the Strand near Pier

22 Occupancy in Public Beach Parking Lots A total of 428 parking spaces are provided in three public parking facilities, Lots A C, which are located between Hermosa Avenue and the Strand near Pier Avenue. Lot C provides three electric vehicle charging stations on the third floor of the parking facility. Overall occupancy of the three lots was lightest on a weekday evening and highest on a weekend afternoon. Occupancy was generally higher than 85 percent, but at no surveyed time did occupancy drop below 79 percent. (During the weekend afternoon survey period, Lot B was closed for a beach event.) Table 8 presents parking supply numbers as well as occupancy rates in the three parking facilities during each of the analyzed time periods. Additionally, Table 8 presents the proportion of parking spaces occupied by a parking permit holder. Table 8 Occupancy in Public Parking Lots A C 20 Weekday Afternoon Weekday Evening Weekend Afternoon Permit Permit Permit Lot Supply Occ Rate Occ Rate Occ Rate Occ Rate Occ Rate Occ Rate Overall % 33% 79% 7% 95% 9% Lot A % 5% 90% 8% 90% 11% Lot B % 59% 97% 19% - - Lot C % 43% 72% 4% 97% 9%

23 Car2Go Car2Go is a new one-way point-to-point carsharing service available in the South Bay that allows users to pick up a car parked on the street near their point of origin and leave it parked on the street at their destination. Car2Go launched at the end of July Two Car2Go vehicles were observed in the Coastal Zone on the surveyed weekday, five were observed on the surveyed weekend day. Table 9 presents the number and location where Car2Go vehicles were observed parking during each of the surveyed time periods. Figure 13 illustrates the location of Car2Go vehicles within the Coastal Zone. Table 9 Car2Go Vehicles Parked in the Coastal Zone Area Weekday Afternoon Weekday Evening Weekend Afternoon Overall Zone Zone Zone Parking in the Coastal Zone Hermosa Beach Beach Access and Parking Study 21

24 22 Figure 13 Car2Go Vehicles Parked in the Coastal Zone

25 SOURCES American Community Survey 5-year Estimates, Total Population American Community Survey 5-year Estimates, Means of Transportation to Work by Age Streetlight Cell Phone Data, 2013 Hermosa Beach Parking Supply and Occupancy Count Survey Data, August 2014 Hermosa Beach Area Survey, August September 2014 Hermosa Beach Police Security Video Footage, August 2014 Sources Hermosa Beach Beach Access and Parking Study 23 2

NATHAN HALE HIGH SCHOOL PARKING AND TRAFFIC ANALYSIS. Table of Contents

NATHAN HALE HIGH SCHOOL PARKING AND TRAFFIC ANALYSIS. Table of Contents Parking and Traffic Analysis Seattle, WA Prepared for: URS Corporation 1501 4th Avenue, Suite 1400 Seattle, WA 98101-1616 Prepared by: Mirai Transportation Planning & Engineering 11410 NE 122nd Way, Suite