When it comes to how to control the permanence of vehicles in the urban center we should know that cars occupy almost 70% of the public space in cities in Spain (68.1%) and, on average, they are stationary 90% of the time.. This reality not only implies an inefficient use of urban resources that affects the quality of life, resulting in less space for green areas, wider sidewalks or bicycle lanes, but also negatively affects mobility, favoring phenomena such as the agitated traffic.
These are some of the conclusions that can be drawn from the study Callegraphieswhich analyzes nearly 500 streets in 58 Spanish peninsular and island cities. Presented in October 2023 by the association Red de Ciudades que Caminan, the report provides other data such as that 81.6% of the streets have parking areas for cars and, in outlying neighborhoods, the occupation of public space by vehicles is even greater (74.4% compared to 68.1% downtown). and that, in outlying neighborhoods, the occupation of public space by vehicles is even greater (74.4% compared to 68.1% in the center).
It also shows that, in the city centers, almost 4 out of 10 streets (38%) have some kind of restriction on cars.In the peripheral areas, this figure is practically insignificant (3%). Likewise, few streets, central or otherwise, have absolute restrictions on vehicle circulation (5%).
Over the last few years, many municipalities have opted for technologies that help them to control the permanence of vehicles in urban areas. technologies that help them to control the permanence of vehicles in the urban center.. With them, they ensure the effectiveness of measures to promote more efficient and sustainable mobility such as low emission zones (LEZs), restricted traffic zones (RTZs), loading and unloading zones or regulated access zones (RAZs).
More specifically, to combat the undesired permanence of cars in city centers, the most popular measures are those that seek to encourage the rotation of these vehicles by discouraging prolonged parking with time limits and progressive tariffs, such as the creation of green and blue zones. It is also possible to promote parking in the periphery for later access to the center by public transport, as is the case with park-and-ride (P+R) models such as the one in the Barcelona Metropolitan Area.
Technologies to control the permanence of vehicles
Regulated Access Zones (ZAR)
License plate reading systems integrated into the solution regulated access zones (ZAR) allow the control of all vehicles circulating in a specific area of the municipality, sanctioning those that do not comply with the regulations. In addition, municipalities can establish restrictions on passage, with multiple schedules and durations, and define the length of time vehicles may remain in municipal parking areas..
Thanks to the customization of access and permanence rules, the municipalities that use it can adapt mobility policies to the specific needs of each neighborhood or area, encouraging a more rational use of public space.
Parking control and management
As in the regulated access zones, license plate reading systems are the core technology of the solution. parking control and management solutionwith which municipalities can regulate regulate municipal parking zones through the AlphaDataManager data exploitation and management platform. In addition, it allows the creation of a user portal to reserve and pay for parking, as well as theas well as integrating physical restriction systems such as barriers or automatic bollards.
Thanks to AlphaDataManager’s functionalities, municipalities obtain statistics on the use of these parking areas, such as occupancy trends according to hours, days, months and years, which facilitate public decision making in this area.
Loading and unloading control
The solution for loading and unloading control uses video surveillance technology with intelligent analysis to detect vehicles that stop or park incorrectly in previously delimited and marked zones that each municipality can freely establish with different restriction schedules.
In conclusion, the implementation of advanced technologies to control the permanence of vehicles in the urban core is a key tool to rationalize the use of public space, improving access to services and promoting a more sustainable and efficient mobility.
