Concept of a parking guidance system and its effects in the Shinjuku area-configuration, performance, and future improvement of system

A parking guidance and information system for the Shinjuku area of Tokyo is described as Japan's first parking guidance and information system (PGIS) to have a full-fledged guidance function. The concept of the Shinjuku area parking guidance and information system is outlined. The surveys conducted before and after the introduction of the Shinjuku area PGIS confirmed its effectiveness in: (1) improving the convenience of users; (2) reducing on-street parking; (3) enhancing the order of traffic in the Shinjuku area; (4) absorbing into off-street parking lots those cars parked on-street for a short time; and (5) equalizing the number of cars parked between available parking lots. The measures to be taken for further improving the Shinjuku area PGIS are presented at the end.