Flemish Agency for Roads and Traffic. Issues and experiences

CONTENT Transit migration issues Types of motorway stations and the severity of the situation Migration streams towards parking sites for lorries Measurements taken: advantages and disadvantages Measurements planned Possible long term measures Discussion on measurements, roles and responsibilities

Transit migration issues Not new -> in recent year -> peak incidents Impact on road safety and parking sites for lorries: Refugees climbing into trucks Pedestrians crossing the highway to reach parking sites Reduced network availability (Westkerke, Drongen) Damage to infrastructure Littering

Transit migration issues Impact on stakeholders of the motorway stations: High impact: Harassment truck drivers High expectations towards AWV for measures to mitigate the transit migration issues on roads and parkings High working pressure on police staff Harassment of neighbours around the parking sites Example Drongen Concessionaires Customers of concessions (low impact)

Types of motorway stations and the severity of the situation Elementary parking areas low social control Parking areas that offer additional services Shops, gas stations, restaurants, et cetera Parts or whole parking is conceded to private companies Social control and security cameras

Types of motorway stations and the severity of the situation Overview types of motorway stations:

Types of motorway stations and the severity of the situation Parking areas and the severity of the situation:

Types of motorway stations and the severity of the situation Parking areas and the severity of the situation:

Types of motorway stations and the severity of the situation Parking areas and the severity of the situation:

Migration streams towards parking sites for lorries Parking areas close to the camps (Grande Synthe, ex Calais,..): Mannekensvere, Westkerke, Jabbeke -> back and forth movements between camps and parking areas Parking areas nearby main cities : Drongen, Kalken, Groot-Bijgaarden, Heverlee, Rotselaar -> from camps -> safe houses -> public transport -> on foot through villages -> parking areas

Measurements taken: advantages and disadvantages Closing of parkings (Westkerke – Drongen) Pro:  Immediate stop of transit migration on this parking Con: Reduced parking capacity Claims from concessionaires (loss of profit) Problem displaces to other areas

Measurements taken: advantages and disadvantages Reinforcing or renewal of the fence / deepening the ditch / improving the illumination of the parking areas Pro: Uncomplicated measure Relative low costs Con: Sensitive to vandalism Minimal effect

Measurements taken: advantages and disadvantages Removal of shrubs and hedges Pro: Uncomplicated measure Relative low costs Improved oversight Con: Not always possible -> protected habitats (ANB) Impact on landscaping Minimal effect -> migrants replace their hiding place outside the parking area

Measurements taken: advantages and disadvantages Presence of security personnel with dogs Pro: Effective on the parking areas Can help in other issues (vandalism, illegal littering,…) Can look between trucks, in contrast to cameras Con: Expensive measure Legal issues Dependent on interventions of the police

Measurements planned (short term) Commissioned by the cabinet of the Minister following measures are taken: Parking areas along the E40 direction Calais (westside of Brussels) will be divided into parkings to take: the long daily rest-break -> on better secured parkings short-term parkings Framework contract for security personnel with dogs -> at disposal for every stakeholder

Possible long term measures Bundling trucks on large guarded parking areas in the neighbourhood of the highways On existing industrial areas or new areas Possible dispatching by VIAPASS (OBU) Public-private partnership Can help in other issues (capacity) -> economics of scale - subsidies – dispatching -> Possible profitable business case

Discussion on measurements, roles and responsibilities Case 1: Migrants in safe houses -> take the train -> Brussel -> Drongen -> on foot -> motorway station Drongen -> climb into trucks measurements, roles and responsibilities? Case 2: The possible long term measures advantages and disadvantages and how to implement Case 3: Security cameras (Video surveillance) advantages and disadvantages and who should implement, manage and supervise

Thank you!