Strengthening off-street parking: sharing is caring in Sint-Niklaas
About this good practice
This project was a case in the Park4SUMP project. This project ran from september 2018 to august 2022.
The main objectives in Park4SUMP were:
Park4SUMP aims to further stimulate innovation in parking management and transform parking policy from reactive and operational as it currently is to more strategic, effective, and holistic.
The parking guiding system has three subcomponents:
Variable parking- and guiding signs (digital)
Measuring systems and data collection
Software for traffic management and monitoring
The guiding signs are full LED – so we can use them to provide information to the drivers not only about parking but also for traffic.
The measuring systems of the different parking lots collect data about their use (who is parking and for how long) but also enable us to estimate the overdemand or oversupply. The latter one guides us as per the management of parking space and the potential for space reallocation: for example, we can allow other users, like residents, to take advantage of the free parking spaces or we make decisions to transform parking spaces into parking for bikes or green spaces.
The City of Sint-Niklaas was repossible for implementing the system, hard- and software. At the moment the last parking lot is being finalised (May 2025)
Resources needed
The resources needed for the installation of the parking management system (hardware and software) were 1.000.000 euros.
Evidence of success
The data collection is used to have a real-time number of free spaces and is used in our global SUMP to see what the needs are. The off-street parking was being used at a maximum of 30%. As a result of the closing of our main parking in the city centre (due to works), there were complaints about the lack of parking spaces. So, we promoted the one with a lot of free capacity as the main ‘compensation’ during the works. We now have a clear view on the usage of the on-street parking spaces.
Potential for learning or transfer
Effective parking management leads to better modal choices and to less congestion. Reducing parking availability and earmarking parking revenues to support sustainable urban mobility measures act as incentives for people to use more sustainable transport modes. Communication of these plans is essential to gain public acceptance.
By using the parking guidance system and directing cars to available parking spaces, you reduce search traffic, decrease traffic in residential streets, and lessen frustrations for drivers looking for a parking spot. You direct the car to where you want it, and no longer to where you prefer not to see it