TDM Toolbox

Mitigation Calculator

Subsector: Parking or Road Pricing/Management
Park-and-Ride Lots
VMT Reduction Potential: 1
Cost: 3
ROI: 1
StanCOG Relevancy: 3
Land Use Content: Urban, Suburban
Trip Type: School, Residential, Commute, Recreation
Scale: Regional, Community
Timing: Short Term (1-3 years)
Implementors-Public: Municipalities, Regional Agencies, Transit Agencies
References: California Air Pollution Control Officers Association (2024), StanCOG 2026 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, StanCOG Congestion Management Process, StanCOG Transportation Demand Management Program, Caltrans Park-and-Ride Program

Description

Developing park-and-ride lots offers designated areas for commuters to park and transfer to transit or carpool services, reducing private vehicle usage.

Implementation Details

  • Identify underutilized public and private parcels near major transit routes, freeway interchanges, and ACE stations for potential park-and-ride use.
  • Prioritize locations that can support transit, carpool, vanpool, bicycle, and first/last-mile connections.
  • Coordinate park-and-ride investments with ACE stations in Ceres and Modesto-area commuter markets.
  • Include lighting, accessible pedestrian connections, bicycle parking, shade, security, and transit information.
  • Develop shared-use agreements with schools, employers, commercial centers, and other property owners to reduce land acquisition costs.

Mitigation Potential

Park-and-ride lots increase the availability of non-Single Occupancy Vehicle options for commuters. Either through transit or carpooling, VMT can be reduced from the mode shift. While not the same strategy, park and ride lots are now more commonly planned for as part of mobility hubs, which is a more efficient use of land and more effective at reducing VMT.

For more details, see Victoria Transport Policy Institute – Mobility Hubs for VMT reduction quantification.

Linked Strategies

Equity Considerations

Equity considerations for park-and-ride facilities include ensuring access in rural and disadvantaged communities that lack frequent transit service. Lots should be placed to benefit lower-income commuters, and partnerships with tribal governments and schools can increase access for residents without nearby transit. Design elements such as bike parking and lighting also enhance safety and access for non-drivers.

Funding Sources

Funding may include StanCOG-administered transportation funds, Local Transportation Funds, State Transportation Assistance, CMAQ, SB 1 programs, and federal transit funding, depending on the facility and project sponsor. StanCOG’s TDM program also directly supports park-and-ride programs and related outreach. Partnerships with schools, employers, transit agencies, and private property owners can reduce land acquisition and operating costs.

Examples/Case Studies

Ceres ACE Station and Park-and-Ride Projects

StanCOG’s transportation programming includes surface parking and overflow parking improvements associated with the Ceres ACE station, as well as proposed lighted park-and-ride facilities near the Whitmore Avenue overpass and near the freeway/ACE station. These projects provide a direct Stanislaus County example of using parking facilities to support transit and regional commuting.

Modesto ACE Express / Vintage Faire Park-and-Ride

Modesto Area Express has operated commuter service connecting the Vintage Faire Mall park-and-ride lot with the Altamont Commuter Express station in Lathrop/Manteca. StanCOG’s transportation planning documents identify the service as an example of regional commuter connectivity using a park-and-ride facility.