This research will synthesize and integrate the prior related work into a quantitative (or semi-quantitative) framework. Two major approaches will be adopted and developed. 1) Cost-benefit analysis (CBA): quantitative analysis and evaluation of the dominating economic, social and environmental factors in terms of costs and benefits associated with a range of existing and potential locations. CBA is a common economic approach widely adopted by government agencies and private sectors in their capital investment decisions. CBA is easy to interpret and communicate, and simultaneously accounts for a range of factors associated with positive and negative impacts of a decision. Therefore, this analysis starts from CBA and may attempt to try other proper methods in accordance with project progress and need. 2) Freight network modeling and decision analysis: mathematical modeling and optimization techniques to prioritize the best new and existing locations for parking expansion. Various factors and constraints will be incorporated, including spatial demand, federal hours of service requirements, travel time and traffic impacts, land cost, employment and tax revenue, and budget available, etc.

The preliminary version of this study will be based on the data from New Jersey. Initial sources of data include transportation network, existing and potential parking locations, parking and traffic demand, land use restriction and cost, etc. It can potentially assist state and regional agencies in making better-informed decisions to optimally allocate limited public resources. The methodology can be further developed to be integrated with intelligent parking information and management systems for long-term network performance enhancement.