MUNICIPALITY OF ATHENS CONTROLLED ON-STREET PARKING Chronis Akritidis Civil & Transportation Engineer Deputy Mayor of Athens John Frantzeskakis Professor Emeritus National Technical University of Athens DENCO Development and Engineering Consultants EURASIAN TRANSPORT FORUM Athens, November 28 – December 3, 2005

1.THE PARKING PROBLEM Lack of legal parking spaces, growing due to: a.Increase of car ownership. b.Decrease of on-street parking spaces due to: –Decrease of illegal parking (Police Enforcement, Obstacles) –Pedestrianizations Increase of off-street parking (new garages) inadequate to cover parking demand. Garages are not fully occupied during parking peaks. Illegally parked vehicles, some at critical locations (traffic lights, corners, bus stops etc.), reduce capacity and safety. “Controlled on-street parking”. Eurasian Transport Forum 2

2.PREVIOUS EFFORTS Previous efforts to implement controlled on-street parking in various Municipalities, including Athens, failed mainly because of legal problems. Recent implementations, after solving legal problems, present deficiencies in: –Systematic police enforcement –Efficient collection of fines –Information and compliance of Public Statistics from previous implementation of Controlled Parking by the Athens Municipality –Reduction of long term parking except for residents –Large percentages of short term parking (0-3 hours): 86% for short period parking, up to 2 hrs 63% for long period parking, up to 8 hrs 25% for residents only parking 82% for illegal parking “Controlled on-street parking”. Eurasian Transport Forum 3

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3.THE SYSTEM TENDERED Categories of Parking spaces: –For visitors, max duration 3 hrs Parking fees:€ 1 for the first and for the second hour € 3 for the third hour –For residents:€ 10 per year –Mixed use for certain special areas Residents are allowed to park without payment to visitor spaces –Special use spaces reserved (with or without payment) for certain uses, following approval of the Municipality. Payment System: –Scratch cards to operate on March 2006 –Telephone to operate on July 2006 Operation Periods for Visitors: Working days 09:00 – 21:00 Saturday09:00 – 16:00 “Controlled on-street parking”. Eurasian Transport Forum 9

4.IMPLEMENTATION PHASES Phase A: Present contract. Study Ready spaces Phase B: Present contract. Study to start soon. Approx spaces Rest of the Municipality Program to be prepared Priority to areas with large number of visitors 5.PHASE A Detailed Surveys and Counts Data Bases Definition of Residential Zones Parking Plans Number of Spaces by Category “Controlled on-street parking”. Eurasian Transport Forum 10

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6.EXPECTED BENEFITS IN THE CENTRAL AREA Complete banning of illegal parking in the controlled parking area and the neighboring areas. Reduction of long term parking. Increase of supply for short-term parking. Increase of public transport use. Decrease of traffic flows and increase of capacities. Improvement of traffic conditions (Better level of service and elimination of congestion). Improvement of environmental conditions (Air quality and noise level). Provide adequate parking for residents. “Controlled on-street parking”. Eurasian Transport Forum 15