Estimation of efficiency of retail centers car parking-lots

Abstract

The explosive growth of retail centres during the last decade in East European countries caused many changes in existing town structures and transportation. Big buildings surrounded by huge parking-lots appeared inside previously planned territories with little care of surrounding environment and became the brain-teaser for town planners. This article is our humble attempt to show main problems caused by increased car use for shopping, measure and compare the effectiveness of private cars parking systems in different retail and provision centres. Vilnius city is chosen because it is the best example of such invasion and variety of objects can be found here. Survey data has helped us to find the main problems, define and calculate efficiency attributes to use it in COPRAS decision support method. Developed methodology can help city planners to determine and localize problems caused by big retail centres, to enhance motivation and versatility of decisions.