Upgrade required for Park & Ride infrastructures
In a recent push for better public transport infrastructure, SPD state parliamentarian Sonja Bongers has highlighted the need for upgraded Park & Ride (P+R) facilities in North Rhine-Westphalia. Bongers suggests modernizing and expanding existing P+R facilities according to uniformly defined minimum standards in the areas of safety, equipment, and accessibility.
P+R facilities serve as interfaces between private car traffic and public transport, promoting public transport and reducing car traffic. The design of these facilities varies significantly, but they generally aim to provide convenient, safe, and accessible services for commuters.
Key elements of P+R facilities include:
**Safety**: Adequate lighting at night, CCTV cameras for surveillance, and on-site security personnel during peak hours are crucial for ensuring the safety of users.
**Equipment**: Well-maintained parking spaces and pathways, clear signage for easy navigation, and accessible ramps and lifts for people with disabilities are essential for a smooth user experience.
**Accessibility**: Wheelchair-accessible parking spaces and facilities, easy walking distance to public transportation stops, and information and announcements in accessible formats are essential for ensuring that P+R facilities are inclusive and user-friendly.
Bongers also recommends the physical integration of mobility stations and P+R facilities to enhance their efficiency and convenience. Surveys conducted alongside the 2023 tests showed that cost and time savings were important arguments for commuters to switch to public transport for about half of the respondents.
However, specific standards for safety, equipment, and accessibility in P+R facilities in North Rhine-Westphalia have not been clearly defined. For detailed information on these standards or regional guidelines, it would be best to consult official documents or contact local government offices in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Bongers emphasizes the importance of sufficient and high-quality P+R facilities to make the switch to public transport attractive. In 2019, ADAC conducted tests on P+R facilities, and in 2023, tests by ACE found that a quarter of P+R facilities failed. These findings underscore the need for improved P+R facilities to ensure the safety and convenience of commuters.
In alignment with Bongers' suggestions, it's crucial to establish standardized minimum safety, equipment, and accessibility guidelines for the finance sector's investment in upgrading and expanding Park & Ride facilities, promoting a smoother transition from private transportation to public transit in North Rhine-Westphalia's industry sector.
To further encourage the use of public-transit and transportation, the integration of mobility stations and Park & Ride facilities could be maximized for increased efficiency and convenience, as demonstrated by the cost and time savings reported in surveys conducted in 2023.
