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Commission approves 24‑site downtown ride‑share pickup/drop‑off pilot after extended debate
Summary
The Metropolitan Traffic & Parking Commission approved a 24‑location downtown ride‑share pickup/drop‑off pilot (Thursday–Sunday evenings) that will use signage, three‑minute dwell limits and geo‑fencing with Uber/Lyft; enforcement will be by parking officers and MNPD and staff will report back after one year.
NDOT presented and the Metropolitan Traffic & Parking Commission approved a pilot program establishing 24 designated ride‑share pickup and drop‑off zones in downtown Nashville, aiming to reduce curb congestion and double‑parking near entertainment corridors.
NDOT project lead Mr. Schultz said the zones are drawn from the Connect Downtown action plan and would operate primarily Thursday through Sunday evenings, with most locations limited to three‑minute dwell periods and signage indicating hours of operation. "We want to increase the amount of curb space for passenger pickup and drop‑off and reduce hazardous stopping in travel lanes," Mr. Schultz said, noting the plan includes geo‑fencing coordination with Uber and Lyft and an education campaign for drivers and merchants.
Commissioners pressed staff on enforcement, equity for drivers, accessibility for people with special needs and how success will be measured. Brad Freeze of INDOT said parking enforcement and Metro Nashville Police Department will monitor compliance and that NDOT has pilot experience from a prior TAC trial. Mr. Schultz said one stop (Marathon Village) will allow a longer dwell time by design and that about 31 metered parking spaces across all sites will be impacted; he also committed to producing a one‑year after‑action report with heat‑map data from ride‑hail companies and parking enforcement metrics.
Commission discussion covered possible fees for ride‑hail companies, whether zones could displace planned transit lanes and the need for circulation maps and monthly early reporting. Commissioners were told the city cannot compel drivers by law to use the zones, but NDOT said Uber and Lyft have been cooperative in past geo‑fencing pilots.
The commission moved and approved the measure; members recorded four votes in favor and one opposed. Mr. Schultz said staff will begin work orders to install signs and coordinate with operations, create outreach materials for drivers and downtown stakeholders, and return with performance data after initial rollout.
The program now proceeds to implementation steps overseen by NDOT operations and the parking enforcement unit.
