Innovation Districts: Key Considerations for Parking & Traffic

by Tim Shaw, Regional Manager III, SP+

You’ve all seen them, Innovation Districts are dense, mixed-use neighborhoods where research universities, hospitals, businesses, and start-ups cluster together. They are becoming increasingly popular as cities seek to attract and retain talent, promote economic growth, and create more livable communities.

While innovation districts bring multiple benefits to the community, they also can pose challenges for transportation planners, especially with respect to parking and traffic flows. Since innovation districts are often located in urban areas where space is limited, and traffic congestion is a concern, designing a system to meet the needs of students, employees, residents, and visitors needs to be carefully considered. 

Below are key considerations that planners should keep in mind related to parking and traffic flows in the rise of these innovation districts along with examples of some in the New England area.

Key Considerations:

The Brookings Institution's Metropolitan Policy Program has published a report titled "The Rise of Innovation Districts" that provides guidance on how to design parking and traffic flows for these emerging neighborhoods. The report highlights the following key considerations:

1. Encourage the use of public transportation, walking, and biking.

Innovation districts should be designed to make it easy for people to get around without using a car. This can be done by providing convenient access to public transportation, creating safe and inviting pedestrian and bike paths, and offering incentives for people to use alternative modes of transportation.

2. Provide adequate parking, but don't overbuild.

Innovation districts need to have enough parking to accommodate the needs of their users. However, it is important not to overbuild parking, as this can lead to traffic congestion and air pollution. Instead, planners should focus on providing a mix of parking options, including on-street parking, off-street parking, and shared parking spaces.

3. Use technology to manage traffic and parking.

Technology can be used to help manage traffic and parking in innovation districts. Having the right parking technology access controls can help steer visitors to one section of a parking area and employees and staff to others for the highest efficiency and utilization. Furthermore, smart parking sensors can help people find empty parking spaces, and variable message signs can be used to direct traffic around congested areas.

4. Prioritize pedestrians and cyclists.

When designing streets and intersections in innovation districts, planners should prioritize the safety and convenience of pedestrians and cyclists. This can be done by creating crosswalks with shorter wait times, installing bike lanes, and reducing the speed limit.

5. Promote carpooling and vanpooling.

Carpooling and vanpooling can help reduce traffic congestion and air pollution in innovation districts. Planners can promote carpooling and vanpooling by offering incentives, such as dedicated parking spaces and priority access to public transportation. Or, employers have provided park-and-ride shuttles to the office where employees are able to work while in transit and “clocked” in where they might normally be sitting in traffic. Some fantastic technology options for carpooling out there can automatically match drivers. 

Successful Implementation of Innovation Districts in New England:

There are a number of innovation districts in New England where innovative parking and transportation options have been successfully implemented. Here are a few examples:

Kendall Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Kendall Square is one of the oldest and most successful innovation districts - it is home to many leading technology companies and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). With four MBTA subway stations and several bus lines serving the area, Kendall Square is also home to a number of shared mobility options, such as car sharing and bike sharing. Additionally, the Kendall Square Green Garage offers electric vehicle charging stations, bike parking, and a car wash plus a rooftop terrace with views of the city.

Cambridge Innovation Center in Cambridge, MA

The Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC), a co-working space for startups and entrepreneurs, has implemented a parking reservation system for its employees and visitors. This system helps to ensure that there is always a parking space available for those who need it, reducing the time people spend circling around looking for parking.

Seaport District in Boston, MA

The Seaport District is another major innovation district in the Boston area. The district is home to several leading technology companies and research institutions, such as the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Broad Institute. One of the most unique features of the district is the Seaport Link, a 1.4-mile elevated pedestrian and bike path that connects the Seaport District to downtown Boston. The Seaport District has also implemented a program to provide a free shuttle for residents via the Link, which provides an additional safe and convenient way for people to get to and from the Seaport District without having to use a car.

Another use of smart technology in the Seaport District is the use of sensors to manage traffic and parking. These sensors track traffic conditions and parking availability in real-time. This data is used to adjust traffic signals and parking rates to help reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.

With the rise of Innovation Districts, not only will the use of technology in parking and transportation play a larger part of the overall consideration set in planning, but the rise of other alternate mobility modes such as bikes, carpooling, pedestrian traffic will need to be taken into consideration and will also continue to evolve and positively impact the larger community. Plan ahead, and then plan again and again! 

View SP+ >>