In an effort to free up some of the city's on-street parking spaces, one of Vancouver's general managers is suggesting an increase in parking meter fees.

A report submitted to Vancouver City Council, to be discussed in a meeting next Tuesday, suggests parking fees should be higher on the city's busiest streets.

The 27-page document was submitted by Vancouver's general manager of engineering services, Jerry Dobrovolny, who suggests an increase of as much as $1 per hour in areas where free spots are scarce.

"The proposed changes will ensure that motorists are well served at their destinations and address the safety, congestion and (greenhouse gas) impacts associated with unnecessary searching for on-street parking," the report's summary reads.

Currently, there are approximately 10,000 metered parking spaces in Vancouver, with rates ranging from $1 to $6 an hour. The rates vary by location, with higher prices in high-traffic areas in an attempt to motivate drivers to use public transportation, walk, or bike instead.

The rates do not vary by time of day, and are in effect from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

But Dobrovolny and his staff said the system of variable rates isn't doing enough to free up spots in some areas, forcing drivers to circle city blocks searching for a new spot or waiting for one to free up.

"Inefficiency in on-street parking management leads to unnecessary searching for parking by motorists which, in turn, creates unnecessary safety risks for other road users, congestion, (greenhouse gas emissions) and pollution," the report said.

So Dobrovolny recommends several changes that would improve the city's metered parking program.

The city's goal is to ensure that there are one or two free spaces per block, or an occupancy rate of 85 per cent, but some areas – particularly downtown – have a much higher occupancy rate.

In those areas, the report recommends increasing the parking meter rate by $1 per hour, starting in 2017.

On the flip side, the report suggests that prices should be lowered by $1 per hour where peak occupancy is lower than 60 per cent.

He notes that data collection is only collected once a year, which may lead to inaccuracies. The data may not take into account events, road closures, construction or seasonal factors that need to be considered when rates are set.

He also notes that demand for parking varies throughout the day, suggesting that a set rate means that parking may be over-priced during off-peak periods.

He suggests that data should be collected more frequently, and that rates should be adjusted on a regular basis. He also recommends charging higher or lower rates for on-street parking, depending on the time of day. For example, meters may charge drivers more to park between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. than they do between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.

The full report will be discussed at a City Council meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 15. It can be read on the council's website.