Guidelines on parking management : sustainable mobility

Abstract

This document is one in a series of documents on Sustainable Mobility and includes other important subjects – Walkability and Accessibility, Shared Transport, Last Mile Transportation and EV Changeover, previously issued by the Local Councils’ Association. Importantly, all of these documents must be seen together in order to understand the complex subject of sustainable mobility in a holistic manner. The ultimate objective of this set of documents is to progressively reduce car dependence and move towards healthier, safer and more liveable societies wherein active mobility and/or shared mobility (with a focus on electric vehicles) may be the primary mode of transport. Needless to say, a number of measures may be implemented, both to actively reduce the number of vehicles on the road and the need for on- or off-street parking requirements. For instance, the possibility of Green Travel Plans in both individual enterprises and public entities, as well as teleworking initiatives, eliminate the need for additional parking spaces around employment areas while alleviating congestion issues within those localities that double up as important employment hubs. Similarly, the availability and facilitation of more online facilities, such as online shopping and the provision of online Government services, reduce the need to travel and, consequently, park one’s vehicle. In this respect, Local Councils could provide both the physical infrastructure and assistance to residents to use such services and thus reduce (or avoid altogether) travelling needs. Such measures have important indirect benefits to the environment, contributing to the reduction of traffic congestion and noise and air pollution. At the same time, even though this objective is clear, a large proportion of the Maltese population currently relies on private vehicles for everyday needs and activities. Consequently, the parking issue is a reality that cannot be ignored but that must be addressed. This document centres on understanding further the parking issue and proposing strategies, in the form of steps, that could lead to potential solutions in the short-, medium- and longW-term. These strategies must be understood and considered together with other complementing steps found within the other Sustainable Mobility documents.