One of the problems created by road traffic is parking. Not only do vehicles require street space to move about, but also do they require space to park where the occupants can be loaded an unloaded. The period over which a car is parked is very great compared with the time it is in motion. The size of average parking space is 14 m2. It is roughly estimated that out of 8760 hours in a year, the car runs on an average for only 400 hours, leaving 8360 hours when it is parked. Every car owner would wish to park the car as closely as possible to his destination so as to minimize his walking. This results in a great demand for parking space in the CBD and other areas where the activities are concentrated. With the growing population of motor vehicles, the problem of parking has assumed serious proportions.

Parking control has become the chief means available to cities all over the world to limit congestion. It is the enforcement of laws and regulations. Illegally parked cars are seen almost everywhere. Traffic congestion is like a malignant disease and due to lack of car parking facilities in the centre of cities, land values tend to fall. The ideal solution would be to rebuild our cities to the requirements of the motor car age. Such proposals may be included in a long term plan. But motor vehicles must be accommodated urgently otherwise the consequences may be very serious resulting in the loss of business and property values.

The provision and citing of car parks should be related to the future traffic flow of the roads that will be carrying traffic to the city or town. The wise sitting of car parks can make it possible to increase the number of cars that can be parked in a city centre, without causing congestion. When considering the adaptation of city centers to accommodate the motor car, the pedestrians must also be considered. While cars are permitted to circulate our city centers, there must be some regulation control which will give the maximum use of the space available. This will be to the advantage of everyone concerned. Adequate planned and organize car parking is essential to the life of our cities. The local authorities must be strong minded on this subject. Car parks are not likely to make big profits as a business house. But adequate car parking is a necessary part of development in a city centre and without it trade cannot prosper.

One of the problems created by road traffic is parking. Not only do vehicles require street space to move about, but also do they require space to park where the occupants can be loaded and unloaded. A systematic study of the parking characteristics and demand and regulatory measures that are possible for controlling parking is of great help to a traffic engineer as well as town planner.