Despite priced parking in some denser areas, the majority of parking spaces in the region are free. Priced parking has many benefits in areas with significant demand for parking. Free parking obscures the cost of driving and the cost of supportive infrastructure. Priced parking would reduce the number of vehicle trips, helping to reduce vehicle emissions and alleviate congestion. Municipalities should price more publicly owned parking spaces on streets and in municipal parking lots and garages to provide revenue for local transportation improvements and allow land to be transitioned to revenue-generating uses. In addition, municipalities could choose to implement variable parking rates, with higher prices charged at times and locations of peak demand or for certain vehicle types such as delivery trucks in business districts, allowing for more efficient use of available parking spaces. Innovative parking strategies have already been implemented by municipalities in the region. The City of Chicago launched a Downtown Loading Zone Reform pilot program in 2017 that changes how delivery trucks are charged in loading zones.{{Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, “Chicago establishes the Downtown Loading Zone Reform Pilot Program,” October 26, 2016, http://www.cmap.illinois.gov/updates/all/-/asset_publisher/UIMfSLnFfMB6/content/chicago-establishes-the-downtown-loading-zone-reform-pilot-program.}} Based on recommendations in a Local Technical Assistance project study, the Village of Hinsdale increased hourly parking rates.{{Annemarie Mannion, “Rate hike to discourage employees from parking downtown,” The Doings Hinsdale, October 14, 2014, http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/hinsdale/ct-parking-boxes-hinsdale-tl-1023-20141014-story.html. }}