Can big data help us walk a difficult path?

A pavement parking ban will require data driving decisions, says Paul Moorby OBE

Paul Moorby OBE FRSA

Paul Moorby OBE FRSA

A ban on pavement parking could soon be introduced, after the Department for Transport announced the government will consult on whether to hand local authorities more powers to crackdown on vehicles parking on the kerb.

Pavement parking can be dangerous for pedestrians and wheelchair users and needs to be addressed.

Almost one in 10 UK motorists park on the pavement every day. With an estimated 31 million cars in the UK today, that equates to approximately three million vehicles parked on pavements.

A ban on pavement parking is already in place in London, with motorists liable for fines of up to £100. Lorries are prohibited from parking on pavements across the rest of the UK.

With pressure mounting on lawmakers to roll out a nationwide pavement parking ban in the UK, local authorities are actively considering the impact this will have on their own parking infrastructures and mobility. A nationwide ban will be beneficial for pedestrians, wheelchair users and parents with pushchairs. Yet, it poses questions as to how cities will manage more vehicles with less available on-street parking?

A total ban would require access to alternative parking.

One size fits all?
Drivers who irresponsibly park on pavements, blocking access for pedestrians, need to be penalised. Not only does pavement parking mean pedestrians may have to walk in the road, but it has been shown to exacerbate social isolation for elderly people, wheelchair users and parents with prams who feel unable to safely leave their homes.

However, there could be unintended consequences of implementing a nationwide ban. Motorists in some narrow residential streets park on the pavement to allow traffic to flow through easily and for emergency vehicles to get through. If councils were to crack down on this, it is likely to cause further problems and congestion. By creating a tailored approach, with a street-by-street assessment, councils are more likely to achieve a more sustainable solution to a widespread problem.

Better connected
Data from connected parking systems can be used to identify which streets need a pavement parking ban and those where it would potentially be counterproductive. Big Data allows local authorities to combine large datasets – such as analysis of traffic flows and parking problem areas in real-time. This can enable the setting of demand-led parking tariffs and help local authorities make informed decisions around traffic management policies, the building of new parking facilities and the development of new resident parking schemes.

Councils can then deliver more effective parking solutions in both the short and the long term for the benefit of the local economy and public wellbeing.
The consultation on the pavement parking ban is largely welcomed for the safety of pedestrians, wheelchair users and parents with pushchairs. However, it is a complex issue that requires a strategic and granular approach, based on real-time data. An outright ban may not be practical or sustainable.

Paul J Moorby OBE FRSA is the managing director of Chipside