Parking strategy and management

Summary

The main aim of the measure was to set up new parking schemes, adjust pricing, install adequate signposting for off-street parking and develop new areas for the parking of heavy goods vehicles.

Implementing sustainable mobility

Prior to measure implementation, parking in Burgos was particularly problematic. Parking was disorganised and unregulated, with large trucks parking in the city centre and private motorists frequently infringing parking regulations by double or even triple parking, thus hindering traffic flow and aggravating congestion. Off-street parking was not used due to inadequate signposting and relatively high charges, and street parking was free.

The measure was therefore aimed at setting up a new zoned parking scheme with prices adjusted according to parking time and concessions for residents; preventing bad parking via increased controls and fines; and establishing new parking areas for goods vehicles, which previously had little alternative but to park in the city centre under flyovers or along main roads. 

The development of regulatory norms for surface parking was the first step in the parking strategy. This activity involved moderating the political debate with all stakeholders and, having achieved a degree of consensus, to develop and test the technological systems for parking management, the provision of information and improvements to service quality. Special categories of parking (such as tourist parking and high occupancy systems) were analysed in order to identify the most appropriate model. In addition, a technical project to increase parking capacity for heavy goods vehicles was developed, which would also monitor the movements of such vehicles at a traffic control centre. Another important aspect was the design of an integral concept of parking and intermodality, allowing fluid passenger movement between different modes of transport.  

Progress

• Zoned parking was introduced.
• A parking plan for heavy goods vehicles was developed and implemented.
• Tariffs for off-street parking were changed to a time-based system.
• Information panels indicating traffic conditions and the availability of free off-street parking have saved time for drivers and helped prevent pollution.
• Parking capacity was reorganised and expanded to meet the demand of residents and visitors.

Outcomes

• More than 30 percent increase in the rate of occupancy of off-street parking.
• Illegal parking fell from 200 cases per day to less than 20 in the main streets of the city, helped by the efficiency of the “multa-car”, which gave first warnings to more than 100 cars per day: as a result, 90 percent of drivers did not require a second warning.
• Information panels were well received by drivers, tourists and citizens, saving many useless trips and fuel. Since they were installed, they have provided guidance for more than 4,000 cars, saving more than 1 km in the case of each car trying to find a free parking space.