South Puget Sound Interstate 5 - Park and rides
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Measures of park and rides along I-5 in the south Puget Sound region
Park and rides lot utilization
Park and ride lots provide locations for commuters to meet up with a carpool or vanpool, or catch a bus to work if transit does not come close to their residences. WSDOT monitors the usage of park and ride lots owned or managed by public agencies, as well as private lots. Refer to WSDOT's How to calculate park and ride utilization (PDF 5.9MB).
Park and ride lots serve a wide variety of commuters, including carpoolers, vanpoolers, transit riders, commuter rail passengers, bicyclists and pedestrians. Park and rides are essential for transit riders and carpoolers, and must have high utilization rates to be considered successful. Targeted outreach efforts from transit agencies as well as employer Commute Trip Reduction initiatives help address highway capacity needs in the south Puget Sound region.
Sources: WSDOT Transportation Safety and Systems Analysis Division and WSDOT TRACFLOW (https://tracflow.wsdot.wa.gov/)
Note: Tacoma Dome Station's parking capacity increased to 2,380 on year 2023.
Performance highlights
In 2023, park and ride lots along the I-5 corridor in the south Puget Sound region had occupancy rates ranging between 9% and 49%. None of these park and ride lots reached or exceeded a utilization rate of 85%, which is the threshold for being considered at full capacity.
In 2022, 7% to 43% of available spaces at park and ride lots along the I-5 corridor in the South Puget Sound region were used. Except for the Hawks Prairie and Martin Way lot, park and ride lot usage increased compared to 2021. These park and ride lots all had use rates under 85%, which is considered operating at capacity.
In 2021, 11% to 38% of available spaces at park and ride lots along the I-5 corridor in the South Puget Sound region were filled. These park and ride lots all had use rates under 85%, which is considered operating at capacity.
In 2020, between 11% to 41% of available spaces at park and ride along the I-5 corridor in the South Puget Sound region were filled. These park and ride lots all had use rates under 85%, which is considered operating at capacity.
In 2019, between 25% to 100% of available spaces at park and ride along the I-5 corridor in the South Puget Sound region were filled. Three of the six of these park and ride lots had utilization rates at or above 85%, which is considered as operating at capacity.