Beijing is taking steps to improve its parking management by encouraging the construction of parking facilities and imposing stricter penalties for illegal parking.

The Beijing Municipal Commission of Transportation released a draft of its new parking regulations on Tuesday. It will be available for public comment until May 10.

"A shortage of parking lots has become a serious problem in Beijing, as the number of cars in the capital continues to grow," said Yan Yuejin, a senior researcher at E-House China R&D Institute. "It requires integrated efforts in planning and management to improve the situation."