Resources

To encourage people with degree level qualifications to consider parking as an important aspect of transport planning and business management, and over time, to encourage such people into the parking industry.

Short term aim

To encourage postgraduate level students to research parking.

History

The John Heasman bursary, set-up by the British Parking Association (BPA) in 2005, to promote research into Parking, has been attributed to Mr Heasman in recognition of the contribution that he has made to the Industry and in particular to the formation of the BPA. Mr Heasman, now retired, spent many years of his professional life establishing the BPA as a premier Professional Association. He is a great believer in developing the professionalism of the Parking Industry and also in encouraging people to reach their full potential, it is fitting therefore, that this educational bursary has been dedicated to Mr Heasman.

The need for research into parking

Parking affects all of us, motorist or not, as providing adequate parking provision whether on-street, off-street or at public interchanges, can have a significant effect on traffic congestion and the urban landscape. From a business point of view the Parking sector is a growing industry that employs 1,000’s of people. Parking is also an emotive issue and one that receives continual media coverage.

And at the end of the day there is a need to manage parking as it is estimated that 96% of all cars in the UK are parked at anyone time!

Yet despite its significance the parking sector is grossly under-researched. No one knows exactly how large the parking sector is, nor what the effects of introducing Decriminalised Parking Enforcement are on traffic flow and ‘kerb space’ management, nor how the industry is likely to develop given the growing need to manage both moving and stationary vehicles, nor how the media’s sensationalised portrayal of the sector affects the industries workforce, nor how much off-street parking provision is really needed etc .. the list is endless.

Details of the current study taking place

The bursary was recently awarded to Karen Anderton for her PhD looking at Sub-national Government Responses to Reducing the Climate Impact of Cars. To view the presentation that Karen gave to outline her project and the progress so far, please click here.