Ranking and Parking.

—Frequently the things which will attract the motorist are those which also prevent accidents, which cause vehicles to interfere with each other as little as possible, relieve congestion, which make it easier for the stranger to find his way, as well as make it more pleasant and more comfortable for passenger and driver. All road regulations might be considered under the heading of conveniences and comforts, for they all tend to make traveling more safe and pleasant. Of arrangements of this character the first to be discussed will be ranking and parking.

Ranking is defined by the “General Traffic Regulations of the Council of National Defense, U. S. A.” as “standing vehicles behind one another parallel with the curb,” and parking as “standing vehicles along side one another at an angle to curb.”[224]

Notwithstanding these definitions by common usage the word “parking” is made to include any method whatsoever of “standing automobiles.” Just as the generic term “man” includes both “man” and “woman” so the term “parking” includes both “parking” and “ranking,” and the verb “park” both “park” and “rank.” Usage makes this so whether it be scientific or not.

People who come to the city or have business in the city must have some place to stand their vehicles. The question of where this shall be is becoming one of great importance, as the number of vehicles is constantly increasing and the parking space does not increase correspondingly. A number of cities are making local regulations limiting the time of parking in certain localities. Such limitations seem just, for the reason that near large office buildings, for instance, all available space is appropriated by cars parked early in the day which remain there until their owners, the occupants of the offices, are ready to go home at evening. Outsiders and others wishing to park near places where they desire to do business find it impossible to do so. As a result they either walk back several blocks or make their purchase where they can find parking space. The writer has frequently done the latter when he really wanted to patronize the store near which he could not park. The stores at such places actually lose considerable trade that they are entitled to and for which they pay large rent or other overhead. Such practice may in the long run help the little store farther out and cause a corresponding decrease in property and rental prices.

“RANKING”—STANDING VEHICLES BEHIND ONE ANOTHER PARALLEL TO THE CURB.

VEHICLES RANKED AT CURB

VEHICLES RANKED IN CENTER

VEHICLES RANKED NEXT TO CAR TRACKS

“PARKING”—STANDING VEHICLES ALONGSIDE ONE ANOTHER AT AN ANGLE TO THE CURB.

VEHICLES PARKED AT CURB

VEHICLES PARKED AT CENTER

VEHICLES PARKED NEXT TO CAR TRACKS

AFTER END