Searching for a Parking Spot in a Large City Center

Abstract

This study aims to study the general behavior of drivers when searching for a parking lot. A sample investigation is conducted on the users of 18 selected parking lots in the Xicheng district of Beijing. The influencing factors of parking lot searching behaviors are analyzed by using investigation data. Results show that parking time, parking lot type, parking guide, and the situation of parking congestion significantly influence parking lot searching behaviors. The characteristic variables affecting parking lot searching time are determined, and a multinomial logitmodel of the searching time is established. The model is calibrated, and its effectiveness is verified. Results show that (1) the established model is feasible and has high prediction accuracy and practicability; (2) users quickly find a parking lot space when only few parking lot spaces are left; (3) users spend more time finding a satisfactory parking lot when several parking lots are left, and parking lot searching time is proportional to parking time.