Consumer Response to Introduction of Paid Parking at a Regional Shopping Center

Abstract

An evaluation study was conducted on the introduction of paid parking at a regional shopping center. Using an Internet-based questionnaire, residents were asked to describe their travel and shopping behavior before and after the introduction of paid parking. Results indicate that residents’ travel and shopping behavior including expenditures changed considerably, at least in the short run. The relationship between the changes in expenditures and visit duration, visit frequency, visiting day, and mode choice is investigated by means of two structural equation models, one for weekly and one for nonweekly purchases. The models also include some personal characteristics of the respondents. The change in expenditures for weekly purchases is significantly related to changes in visit frequency, visit duration, travel mode, gender, and car availability. In regard to non-weekly purchases, the change in expenditures is significantly related to changes in visit frequency, visit duration, and visiting day.