Parking

28 artifacts in this set

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America's cars symbolize mobility, but they spend 95 percent of their time parked. Storing cars is a longstanding challenge, and every solution brings new problems. Parking lots and structures transform urban and suburban landscapes, parking meters and tickets exasperate city drivers, and residential garages have moved from the back yard onto the house itself. There are as many as a billion parking spots in the United States -- one heck of a lot.

Detailed Description

Cars Parked on Residential Street, New York State, circa 1915

Photographic print

Curbside parking generally isn't a problem on quiet residential streets, but it can be a nuisance in crowded cities. Parked cars effectively narrow the roadway, which restricts the flow of traffic. Limiting or outright banning curbside parking improves traffic, but it discourages customers from visiting downtown stores and businesses.