A new development in Altoona, Wisconsin provides shoppers, restaurant-goers and residents with a new angle on parking – back-in angle parking. Weau.com reports that city leaders chose the new approach because it is safer for drivers and pedestrians. City Administrator Mike Golat says a parking study in Tempe, Arizona inspired the use of this parking method in Altoona.
“They had an average of four crashes per month for four years with pull in parking and for a total of 48 crashes per year and when they changed to back in parking they had zero crashes the next four years,” Golat explained.
The back-in angle parking scenario also protects pedestrians because they get out of their cars and arrive at the sidewalk without going nearer the roadway. Golat says this method of parking is proven to be safer, but it will take time to get used to for everyday driving.
Golat says people are accustomed to head in parking the way they’ve always done it, so the back-in angle direction has not been a completely smooth transition.
Golat says the city does have more traditional options for parking available in the new development but he is hoping the public will catch on to the new trend.
For now, Altoona residents have a grace period and will not be ticketed for parking head in, but the policy will be enforced in the future.
Read the article here.
