EPA-Polis workshop on Parking - 20 September, Helsinki - Presentations new online

The workshop addressed a number of subtopics within the complexity of urban parking management. Sylvain Haon, Polis director highlighted the role of parking in the EU transport policy, in the EU's research roadmaps and in programme's such as Smart Cities. Prof. Itzhak Benenson of the University of Tel Aviv explained in detail how software models can detail the planning process of parking policies and new parking facilities.

Mr. Juha Hietanen, of the city of Helsinki presented the revised Helsinki parking policy. Combined with Mrs. Neergaard's (Trivector) presentation on current Swedish practice in the field of parking planning, this showed interesting best practice with regards to parking standards linked to new buildings and in relation to public transport accessibility. Jan Gheldof of the city of Gent presented the city's new Mobility Company, where parking is integrated as one aspect of the total mobility management of the city.

Mrs. Spiliopoulou (Denco) presented an analysis of illegal parking behaviour in Greece, showing substantial differences between rural areas and urban areas. Wilco van de Vosse, City of Utrecht presented their approach to smart parking management, utilising the potential of the Dutch parking rights warehouse to the fullest. Livar Luts of Tallinn explained the challenges they see in the field of parking when public transport will operate free of charge for the users - a measure with a substantial impact on the whole mobility system of the city.

Finally, in the session on enforcement, the issue of parking on private land was presnted by Egil Ostvik of the Norwegian Parking Association. The introduction of clear procedures and quality standards has lead to a decrease of malpractice and the need for appeal. A complementary story was presented by Patrick Troy and Nigel Williams of the British Parking Association. The BPA has developed a system of qualifications and training that establishes the parking sector as separate economic sector. The increase of qualification of the sector's personel has resulted in better services and a better image for the sector. Also the EMPARK appraoch to enforcement can be seen as good practice. The appraoch decreases the operational costs, helps to collect the money at the level where it is needed - the local authority.

All presentations are available at the events webpage.

For further information, contact icre@polisnetwork.eu