What is Curb Management?
Curb management is the strategic planning, allocation, and governance of curbside space to serve multiple transportation needs — parking, loading, transit, passenger pick-up/drop-off, bicycle facilities, and pedestrian access.
The curb is perhaps the most contested space in our cities. In a single block, the curb may need to serve private parking, commercial loading, bus stops, ride-hailing pick-ups, bike share stations, and outdoor dining — often at the same time. Traditional approaches that treat the curb primarily as parking space are increasingly inadequate.
Why Curb Management Matters Now
Several converging trends have made curb management a critical priority for cities and private destinations:
- E-commerce growth: Delivery vehicles now need curb access in residential and commercial areas at unprecedented scale.
- Ride-hailing proliferation: TNCs like Uber and Lyft create new demand for passenger pick-up/drop-off zones.
- Micromobility: Bike share, scooters, and e-bikes require curb-adjacent parking and staging.
- EV charging: Public curbside EV charging is essential for residents without private parking.
- Climate goals: Cities reallocating curb space from parking to transit, cycling, and pedestrians.
Competing Uses for Curb Space
Understanding the different users competing for curb space is essential for effective allocation:
Parking
Short-term and long-term vehicle storage
Loading
Commercial deliveries and service vehicles
Transit
Bus stops and transit passenger boarding
PUDO
Passenger pick-up and drop-off zones
Micromobility
Bike share, scooter parking and corrals
EV Charging
Public curbside charging stations
Pedestrian
Sidewalk extensions, outdoor dining
Emergency
Fire hydrant access, emergency staging
Curb Allocation Frameworks
Effective curb management requires a framework for making allocation decisions. Common approaches include:
Hierarchical Priority
Establishing a clear priority order for curb uses (e.g., safety > transit > freight > parking). When conflicts arise, higher-priority uses take precedence.
Context-Based Allocation
Different priorities for different street types — commercial corridors prioritize loading, residential streets prioritize parking, transit corridors prioritize bus stops.
Time-Based Flex Zones
Curb use changes by time of day — loading in mornings, parking in afternoons, PUDO in evenings. Maximizes curb productivity while serving diverse needs.
Technology Solutions
Technology plays an increasingly important role in curb management:
- Digital curb inventory: GIS-based mapping of all curb regulations
- Real-time occupancy sensing: Cameras, sensors, or connected vehicles
- Digital permits: Commercial loading, delivery, PUDO authorizations
- Dynamic signage: Real-time information on curb rules and availability
- Enforcement automation: LPR, geofencing, connected enforcement
Policy and Governance
Successful curb management requires clear governance structures and supportive policies:
- Dedicated curb management function or team
- Clear decision-making authority for curb allocation
- Pricing mechanisms for high-demand curb access
- Stakeholder engagement processes
- Performance metrics and accountability
Implementation Strategies
Implementing curb management effectively requires a phased approach:
- Inventory: Map existing curb uses and regulations
- Analyze: Understand demand patterns and conflicts
- Prioritize: Establish allocation framework and priorities
- Pilot: Test changes in targeted areas first
- Scale: Expand successful pilots system-wide
- Monitor: Track performance and adjust as needed
Measuring Success
Key performance indicators for curb management include:
- Curb utilization rate (% of time space is productively used)
- Double-parking incidents
- Delivery dwell times
- Transit boarding times
- Revenue per linear foot of curb
- Stakeholder satisfaction surveys