Benefits of Blue Zone Parking
Blue zone parking is a designated area in which drivers must pay a fee to park their vehicle for a limited time. The boundaries of this area are usually marked with blue lines and specific vertical signs.
It is a form of parking established in the ORA (regulated parking ordinance), and it is used at municipal level to facilitate temporary parking in certain areas of the municipality, guaranteeing greater mobility and access for everyone.
For example, parking in the blue zone in Seville makes it easier to access many basic services in central or strategic areas, as it is a type of temporary parking where cars cannot occupy parking spaces indefinitely. Below, we present some of the benefits of blue zone parking.
BENEFITS OF BLUE ZONE PARKING
Vehicle turnover, the main benefit of blue zone parking
The time limit in blue zone parking encourages vehicle turnover, which means that more drivers can access parking spaces. This is especially beneficial in high-demand areas, such as the city centre.
Improving mobility
Blue zone parking helps improve people’s mobility around the city, thanks to access to parking in strategic areas. It also helps improve traffic flow, avoiding congestion in many areas caused by drivers searching for parking.
Facilitating access to shopping areas
Access to shopping areas is very important for the economy of a city or municipality, so blue zones are presented as a great alternative to make it easier for users to access these areas to do their shopping.
They are especially useful for shopping areas within the city or urban centres, as they allow them to compete with large shopping centres that have their own private parking spaces.
Reserving space for residents
With blue zone parking regulations, residents in the area will find the daily task of searching for parking for their vehicles much easier, reducing their stress levels, avoiding wasted time and, in general, improving their quality of life.
Reducing the number of offences
Parking in prohibited areas leads to a number of offences that have financial consequences and may even result in vehicles being towed away. Blue zone parking helps reduce the number of these types of offences by providing parking alternatives.
Minimising the time spent searching for parking
Depending on the city or municipality, the time needed to find parking varies, although it is usually a long period (during which time is lost, costs increase, and more pollution is generated). Blue zone parking avoids all these negative effects related to searching for parking.
Rationalising space
Blue zone parking allows the efficient use of available parking spaces, while also limiting how long they can be occupied. This maximises parking capacity in strategic areas and optimises the use of urban space.
Supporting monitoring tasks
Blue zone parking increases the resources available to carry out control and monitoring tasks, so users can park their vehicles with greater assurance that they are protected against theft or vandalism.
Job creation
The management and operation of blue zone parking requires staff for the issuing of tickets, maintenance of ticket machines, and control and monitoring of parking, which generates direct and indirect jobs.
Committing to sustainability and environmental care
Environmental care and sustainable development have become highly relevant issues for citizens today, something we can see in the notable increase in the number of electric vehicles.
Many blue zones are providing special parking for ECO or green vehicles, including special rates or specific areas where users can park and recharge their batteries at the same time.
Blue zone parking is regulated at municipal level through the ORA and is a very useful tool for offering a better service to citizens.
These temporary parking areas provide a large number of benefits, especially in terms of vehicle turnover and making it easier to access strategic and important areas in cities and municipalities.
