Problem #3

Problem Report Index Title Problem Number Date Location Report contact Summary Details Problem Exhibit 1 Problem Exhibit 2 Problem Exhibit 3 Problem Exhibit 4 Comments Suggestions Status Status History Solution Thank you... Title: Vehicles parked on sidewalks. Poor enforement of parking violations affecting pedestrians. Problem Number: 3 Date: Mar 28, 1997 April 5, 1997 Reported by: Iris Baughman Dave Sullivan

Location: City-wide!!! Move to Index for Problem #3

Summary: Iris Baughman reports: Vehicles parked on sidewalks mean pedestrians must either walk in the street or across the lawn. It is insulting and demeaning to pedestrians. Wheelchair users and kids in strollers or on trikes are put at great risk and inconvenience by this practice. Trucks that run over curbs damage the curb, and the taxpayer pays.. Dave Sullivan adds: City has poor enforcement against cars parked illegally on sidewalks. This is mainly a problem evenings, weekends, and outside of the downtown area. Public Works handles parking complaints downtown during the day on weekdays. For any other parking problems, one must call 911. Who wants to tie up the police about parking when so many more serious offences occur? Well, if there is no alternative, and cars are blocking sidewalks used by persons on foot, using wheelchairs, riding in strollers, etc., then we must use 911, even though that may tie up the system for someone else! Move to Index for Problem #3

Details: The Problem has different variations: Patrons parking near a business use the sidewalk: e.g., The Tavern on N. Lamar, Jeffrey's on West Lynn, Breed Hardware on W. 29th. Patrons park in appropriate parking spots, but the front or rear of the vehicle overhangs the curb and blocks the sidewalk: e.g., Z-Tejas on W. 6th Businesses use the sidewalk to store vehicles: e.g., almost any auto-repair shop in the city, like Exhaust World at Justin and N. Lamar Persons park in their driveway but cover the sidewalk also: this can be seen in any neighborhood in America. On rare occasions, someone will actually drive up on the sidwalk in front of their house so as to not park in the street: often the case at 1200 Charlotte just west of W. Lynn Exhibit 1 Everybody, let's beef up this report with the visual evidence Send your pictures of cars parked on sidewalks!! Send photos to: Steve Rogers 8309 Bowling Green Dr. Austin, TX. 78757 send email to discuss at: snm@io.com I will scan them in and put them in this report. Let's cover the whole town. Catch those license plate numbers. Report the location and situation of the photo. This is everywhere people!! Roll the cameras! Move to Index for Problem #3

Exhibit 2 Trucks are often parked evey which way on the sidewalks around town. After all we live in the old west where it is common practice to simply tie your iron horse to the nearest fence post There are far to many places where it is not clear whether a section of pavement is sidewalk or driveway, and what the proper behavior should be. I wonder how far back a person in a wheelchair would need to backtrack in order to get around this truck. Move to Index for Problem #3

Exhibit 3 Although it is not parking on a sidewalk, inanimate objects can create similar blockages. They represent the same disrespect for the pedestrian with respect to other uses. The assumption that the sidewalk is a storage area for construction materials is also prevalent. Move to Index for Problem #3

Exhibit 4 There are so many places where head in parking is in conflict with the sidewalk path. The parking environment leads people to disrespect the sidewalk. This is a huge inconvenience to people with disabilities who cannot traverse curbs safely. Move to Index for Problem #3

Comments: Lay those pictures on me folks! Move to Index for Problem #3

Suggested Solution: Allow deputized citizens to issue official warnings or tickets. Ask APD to increase ticketing of illegally parked vehicles. Ask the media to print the names and addresses of businesses which are anti-ped, and those that are pro-ped. Ask the media to communicate that the sidewalks are for peds, not cars and trucks. Move to Index for Problem #3

Current Status:Data gathering As of April 28, 1997, we have published the initial report of the problem and will fill in this report with exhibits as we can get them. Send in your evidence!! On May 6, 1998 pictures were added. The more the merrier. Move to Index for Problem #3

Status History: Mar 28, 1997: First reported by Iris. April 5, 1997: Dave makes a report in a similar vein. April 28, 1997: Report published on web (no pictures). May 6, 1998: Pictures added (finally) Move to Index for Problem #3

Solution:   Solution Exhibit 1 Move to Index for Problem #3

Solution Exhibit 2:. Move to Index for Problem #3

Solution Exhibit 3 Move to Index for Problem #3

Solution Exhibit 4 Move to Index for Problem #3

Thank you... Get your CAR off of our SIDEWALK!! please ....

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