City of Bozeman 2014 Parking Occupancy Rate Follow-up Study

The final report summarizes results of the parking occupancy rate studies in the downtown Bozeman area between July and October of 2014. When comparing occupancy rates from 2014 and the previous study conducted in 2012 (and when available, some dates in 2010), differences were observed depending on the specific date and time of day. For on-street parking, the differences observed in 2014 were occupancies being higher than those of 2012, particularly during the summer months (July and August). Off-street parking lot comparisons indicated that, while the number of vehicles observed at a given time may differ, the general trends in occupancies did not change between 2012 and 2014. These trends consisted of a rise in occupancies throughout the morning, a peak at lunch, a drop in the afternoon and another increase in the evening to reach a second peak.

The purpose of this project is to provide a follow-up study for the City of Bozeman, Montana regarding parking occupancy rates in the downtown district.

This project involved a parking occupancy rate study for the City of Bozeman Parking Commission and the Downtown Bozeman Partnership. It represents follow-up to work completed previously in 2010 and 2012, and provided the City with information regarding occupancy rates for specific parking lots and blocks of on street parking in the downtown district. This metric will help the Parking Commission in understanding how parking is presently being used in the downtown area. Previous work completed during the summers of 2010 and 2012 established occupancy rates in the study area. This work will provide follow-up information regarding what changes have occurred in the intervening years since those studies.