CURBSIDE ACCESSIBLE PARKING PROJECT
APPENDIX B: Jurisdictional Summaries State of Virginia Source: https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop12026/fhwahop12026.pdf
In the late 1990s, Arlington County in Virginia witnessed a low availability of parking space due to the high level of parking placard abuse and fraud. The Arlington Disabled Commission suggested to Arlington County to eliminate free metered parking. Local officials gathered community support and proceeded to engage state officials to review state disabled parking ordinances because the “Virginia State law limited local jurisdictions’ power in managing disabled parking.” This brought about the “All May Park, All Must Pay” law in all Virginia municipalities in 1998. However, the state offered double the amount of time on meters for disabled drivers with a placard, effectively providing a 50% cost subsidy for accessible parking in metered zones.
State of Washington Source: https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop12026/fhwahop12026.pdf
In 2012, the Washington District Department of Transportation (DDOT) developed a disabled parking pilot program which provided a total of 400 parking meters, the domes of which are painted red to be visibly different from regular meters to specifically be available for disabled drivers. They also provided two spaces per street block for better access for disabled drivers in commercial zones. The previous policy allowed disabled drivers to park on metered parking spaces at no cost. Under this new program, a disabled driver with an official placard pays to park on the reddomed meter but receives double the amount of parking time. This is another instance of providing a subsidy in the form of time received for the same cost.
State of Michigan Souce: https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop12026/fhwahop12026.pdf
The State of Michigan enacted a new law that sees only individuals with severe disabilities (in a wheelchair or unable to operate street meters) qualify for free metered parking (3). This represents a complete waiver or subsidy on parking charges for only drivers with a severe disability. Other drivers with disabilities can park in handicapped spaces in off- street facilities at no charge, or are required to pay regular metered rates. Prior to the enactment of the law, about 500,000 individuals with disabled parking placards were parking for free. However, after the law was enforced, only 2% (10,000) of those with disabled parking placards were allowed to park for free at metered parking. Under the new law, individuals with severe disabilities require a doctor’s certification to apply for a differentiated yellow placard, which distinguishes their vehicles from the traditional blue placard holders.
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