I'm currently writing from Charlotte, NC. I planned to be home this morning, but the 2 days of bad weather in the Northeast caused the cancellation of my flight yesterday and the earliest available flight this afternoon.

When I left from Logan Airport in Boston on Monday, I noticed a new initiative regarding parking. Logan is now reserving parking spaces for eco-friendly vehicles.

I think this is a great idea, but (there's always a but)... There has been a lot of long-term effort at Logan to expand the Central Parking Garage. The construction has been a real headache over the past couple of years. The goal - more available parking. In terms of the sheer number of spaces, this goal has been accomplished. However, the total number of available spaces for "Average Joe's" like myself; that feels like a different story.

First, it seems (only my speculation) that the number of reserved spaces for handicapped access has increased. I expect some of that from a percentages perspective, but it seems more than just that amount. Of course, I totally support this type of space reservation. I also totally condemn the number of people who still park in these spaces and the number of people who abuse the handicapped access programs, getting passes when they shouldn't or borrowing others passes just for the "better spot".

Next came Logan's Parking Passport Gold program. For an annual fee, you get preferential parking privileges. Of course there are whole sections of the parking garages dedicated to this program. So, there goes some more of the new spaces.

Now, the "Clean Vehicle" Program pictured above appears. I really do think this is great. I know that I (like much of the population) would buy a hybrid vehicle if afforded the opportunity. Unfortunately, this purchase is nowhere on my radar for the foreseeable future. So I end up watching more parking spaces disappear.

I can't help but feeling like a victim of a twisted form of "New Math". Add a bunch of new parking spaces to a garage, resulting in fewer available spaces. The good news on Monday - I was there early and there were still "normal" spaces available. I can tell you this, though - the first time I drive around the garage looking for a single space at a busy time and see all these unused spaces out of my reach, my blood pressure's probably going to go up a few points.