The development of parking management policy and guidelines : based on a case study in Malta

Abstract

Our culture has become car dependent. The continuously increasing volume of vehicles on our road network is resulting in more street space taken up by moving and parked cars. One of the several mechanisms discouraging the use of private vehicles is Parking Management. Different parking management strategies are reviewed in detail. Site observations, vehicular counts, surveys and contraventions and accidents information specified to Fgura are collected to determine the extent of the parking problems within the locality with a mix of residential and commercial typologies. A proposal of measures targeted to solve the parking problems whilst balancing the priorities between drivers and other road users is developed. Feedback from the public was gathered through surveys to assess the potential effect of implementing the proposed parking management strategies. It is observed how different strategies are more favoured than others. A paramount need is to subject a balanced mix of incentives and disincentives in order to stimulate a shift of private vehicle users to other modes of mobility. It is concluded that the integration of parking management strategies is a lengthy process that should be phased and done in sequence, according to the changing behaviour of drivers and road users.