Article

Considerations for solving hospital parking problems

We look at five potential approaches to reducing parking demand at hospitals.

By Steer

The topic of parking at hospitals is never far from the media glare. A popular opinion is that parking at hospitals should be free. From the work we have done in the health sector — both in England where parking charges are the norm and in Scotland where there is a policy of free parking — there appears to be little evidence that providing free parking can solve the chronic problems faced by hospitals.

To solve this problem requires a more strategic approach to pricing, as part of a wider Travel Demand Management (TDM) strategy. Building on our experience in this sector, potential approaches to reducing parking demand at hospitals include:

1. Ditching the supply-based approach to parking

A typical supply-based approach sees additional parking as the solution to capacity problems. However, experience shows that this doesn’t work. Hospitals that continue to invest in additional parking to address capacity issues often find that neither the problem nor the media spotlight go away.

2. Reducing the number of staff parking

A TDM strategy requires fewer staff, patients and visitors travelling by car. Hospital staff are regular commuters and employers have direct communication channels with them, so from a demand management perspective, it makes sense to focus on reducing staff parking demand. On the other hand, trips to hospital by patients and visitors are likely to be one-off or occasional trips at a time when illness may reduce their ability to travel by public transport, walk or cycle, which makes it harder to persuade them to use those modes. The difficulty (not the cost) of finding a parking space is often the main concern of patients and visitors – a practical way to make more spaces available to patients and visitors is to free up spaces currently used by staff.

3. Making the most of the local travel opportunities

Large hospital sites are generally well served by public transport. Finding out how many staff live close to public transport routes can help focus the allocation of parking to those who need it most. Supporting locally-based staff to walk or cycle instead of driving one or two miles can free up a significant number of parking spaces for patient use. Some hospitals have distance-based exclusion zones where locally-based staff cannot obtain a permit to park.

These can be an effective way to remove unnecessary car parking demand.

4. Incentivising the use of sustainable trave

Compared to the resources dedicated to providing parking for staff, those who walk, cycle or travel by public transport to work seem undervalued by the health sector, despite the healthier nature of these modes. Providing incentives for travelling sustainably brings a double benefit of improving wellbeing and reducing parking demand.

5. Flexibility

Travel options available to staff may be inflexible, both in terms of parking permits, which tend to be permits charged at an annual fee, and public transport options which operate to fixed routes and may not coincide with changing shift start and finish times.

Charging staff peruse of the car park, rather than a flat fee, gives them an incentive to commute by another mode. A flat annual parking permit arrangement encourages staff to drive every day. New smartphone technologies are also enabling more flexible transport services, such as on-demand minibuses and dynamic car sharing which can offer good options for getting staff into work for early shifts and guarantee journeys home for late workers.

Proactively supporting staff to get to and from work could help with recruitment and retention of staff, particularly those who are lower paid, an important issue for hospitals.

All these elements, when brought together into a coherent strategy, tackle the root of the problem and can be transferred to any large employment site struggling to cope with the differing demands of staff and visitors, including airports, shopping centres and visitor attractions.

Off

Subscribe to our newsletter, The Edit

We are Steer

Yes, you are in the right place. After 40 years, we have changed our name from Steer Davies Gleave to mark our growing international footprint and our expanding portfolio into sectors beyond transport.

Explore our new website to learn more about Steer: who we are, how we work and what our future holds.

Related insights

  • 27 Feb 2025
    Article

    Leading on bus regulation reform at the Westminster Energy, Environment & Transport Forum

    Steve Hunter
    Associate Director

    This week Steer’s Head of Bus Regulatory Steve Hunter spoke at Westminster Energy, Environment and Transport Forum’s conference.

    Read more

  • 17 Dec 2024
    Article

    Steer Leads Multi-Consultancy Team on Culture Mile BID’s New Vision for a Connected, Greener Neighbourhood

    By Steer

    The strategy aims to transform the City of London’s Culture Mile into a more connected, accessible, and vibrant cultural neighbourhood.

    Read more

  • 12 Dec 2024
    Article

    Steer analysis offers data-driven, transit-oriented view of green and grey belt potential

    Oliver Russell
    Associate

    Steer has launched an online story map showcasing the potential for sustainable, well-connected green and grey belt development.

    Read more

  • 25 Oct 2024
    Article

    New towns, old ideas: What can we learn from the history of new towns?

    Victoria Rees
    Associate Director

    As the new Labour Government eyes its 1.5 million housebuilding target the obvious question is where will these homes go?

    Read more

  • 18 Jul 2024
    Article

    The King’s Speech: Our key takeaways on planning, transport and the energy transition

    By Steer

    King Charles sets out the new Labour Government’s legislative agenda which intends to ‘take the brakes off Britain’.

    Read more

  • 12 Jul 2024
    Article

    Shifting focus: Why we need to forecast charging infrastructure for commercial EVs

    When it comes to EVs it’s been private cars that have dominated the headlines so far, but they’re really only half the story.

    Read more

  • 02 May 2024
    Article

    What can the Local Area Energy Plans learn from two decades of Local Transport Planning

    Serbjeet Kohli
    Director

    Do local authorities hold the key to Net Zero in the UK?

    Read more

  • 26 Apr 2024
    Article

    How can cycling infrastructure be improved in cities around the world? Our consultants give their thoughts

    By Steer

    Last week it was announced that cycling has overtaken car trips as a favoured mode share in central Paris.

    Read more

  • 18 Apr 2024
    Article

    Promoting Sustainability in the Colombian maritime industry

    By Steer

    We spoke to Silvana Giaimo, Director of Corporate Affairs at the Cartagena Port Group, to learn how the company is tackling social,

    Read more

  • 03 Jul 2023
    Article

    The Investability of EV Charging Infrastructure

    Profile image
    Matthew Clark
    Associate Director

    Governments around the World have targeted a hefty expansion in the number of publicly available EV charge-points.

    Read more

  • 15 Jun 2023
    Article

    La Rolita: transforming public transportation in Bogota with gender equity

    By Steer

    Carolina Martínez, CEO of La Rolita, gives an insight into this transformative project offering leadership roles to women.

    Read more

  • 24 Aug 2022
    Article

    Carbon is not a local transport problem

    Simon Statham
    Director

    Simon Statham looks into what needs to be done in order to think differently about transport carbon emissions.

    Read more