Page 31 - TT June issue pdf for digital

PARKING

ith a population of efficiently, reducing congestion, footpaths and carriageway
15.37 million and and improving mobility. space is available.
9.2 million registered The key highlights of the More than 60% of trips starts
vehicles, the Chennai policy:
Metropolitan Area and ends on foot. Poor footpaths/
W (CMA) faces a severe Managing parking at the no footpaths push pedestrians
parking crunch as there are nearly area level and creating onto carriageways, increasing
two vehicles for every three neighbourhood wide solutions, their exposure to moving vehicles
people in the city. to prevent spillovers: and reducing safety. Presence
of NMT infrastructure reduces
This year, the city took a historic With the new policy, Chennai vehicle dependence, easing
step toward better parking is shifting from scattered parking parking demand, and optimising
management by launching a management in isolated streets, street space, ensuring safer,
progressive Parking Policy for the to a structured, Area-Level Parking more inclusive streets. This way
entire 5,904 sq. km of the CMA, Management plan with demand- parking plans will also nudge the
which includes four corporations based pricing, clear regulations, city agencies to ensure walkable
- Chennai, Tambaram, Avadi, and smart enforcement. The plan footpath are available, leading to
Kancheepuram, 12 municipalities, allocates parking spots in every wider footpath coverage.
13 town panchayats, 22 panchayat street, based on the demand,
unions and one special grade and uses both ground teams Demand-Based Dynamic
town panchayat. The policy was and technology to manage Pricing and Smart Enforcement
strategised and developed by the parking efficiently across the to Shape People’s Parking
Chennai Unified Metropolitan neighbourhood. Behaviour
Transport Authority (CUMTA), who Managing parking in a few Parking rates under the new
will also oversee its implementation streets isn’t effective and can policy will be dynamic based on
and monitoring. Since April 2022, make the problem worse by the area. It will vary, by vehicle
ITDP India has been a key technical causing spillover and more traffic size, location of the parking
partner, supporting CUMTA in in the adjoining streets. But when spot, time of day, and demand.
shaping this landmark policy. we look at a whole area and its On-street parking will be priced
This policy not only addresses network of streets together, we higher than off-street options
the city’s growing parking can address the neighbourhood’s (government or private MLCPs,
challenges through area-level need for parking more effectively. parking lots, etc.). This will nudge
parking plans, Travel Demand This also ensures that street space those wanting to park their
Management (TDM) measures, is used efficiently and is accessible vehicles for long term (more than
but also brought together key to all street users. By using a two hours) to look for off-street
stakeholders—including Greater demand-based pricing system, we options and allowing the on-street
Chennai Corporation (GCC), Avadi can discourage unnecessary car/ parking lots to be open for short
and Tambaram Corporations, bike use and encourage people to terms users. Pre-paid parking
Traffic Police, Highways, choose more sustainable options, will replace post-paid models to
and Chennai Metropolitan like public transport or cycling. encourage planned usage.
Development Authority (CMDA)— Prioritising Pedestrians, As per the parking policy,
through extensive consultations. Cyclists, and Public Transport enforcement measures will
users, Before Parking: be taken up for the following
The Parking Policy: The policy ensures that kind of violations: double
Transforming Urban the city agencies build safe, parking, parking in no-parking
Mobility continuous footpaths and well- zone, parking on footpath,
integrated NMT infrastructure. non-payment of parking fees
CUMTA’s newly adopted The policy gives precedence etc. These violations will be
Parking Policy 2025 is more than to footpath allocation over discouraged with the use of
just a set of regulations—it’s parking. It is ensured that technological interventions
a transformative approach to parking space is allocated to through sensors, cameras, etc.
managing limited parking space a street, only after sufficient and on-ground parking teams.

www.trafficinfratech.com / June 2025 / TRAFFICINFRATECH 31