A preliminary assessment of the park and ride scheme in Floriana, Malta

Abstract

The first and only Park and Ride (P&R) scheme in Malta is located in Floriana. Implemented in 2006, the P&R was part of a suite of projects aimed at increasing the accessibility of the capital city Valletta and reduce the environmental impact of traffic towards the city. Amongst the projects were the P&R, a Controlled Vehicular Access System for Valletta and the extension of the pedestrian area in the city centre. Since the implementation of the projects a number of key transport and land use changes have occurred in the area, all of which have influenced the use and impact of the P&R in the island. This paper presents a case study analysis of the P&R in Floriana, Malta and describes the context within which P&R was introduced as well as the pending transport problems in the area. It then looks at investigating various aspects of the P&R operation and its users over the period 2006-2009. This paper will demonstrate that the P&R has had overall beneficial effects on transport in the inner harbour region despite negative indicators of modal share and traffic, however this was only possible through the introduction of other restrictive measures in the area,