PARKING MANAGEMENT IN THE CENTRAL ZONE OF BELGRADE: ASSESSING EFFICIENCY IN THE CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABILITY

Abstract

The modern concept of parking management, based on the transport and parking demand management, has developed as a consequence of adopting the sustainable transport system concept. In this context, parking in the central area of Belgrade has been managed for more than 20 years. Although continuous monitoring of state and adjustment of measures implemented are the only guarantees of effective management, according to the authors’ knowledge, the state of parking in this area has not been systematically analyzed for many years. Despite this, parking measures – including paking regime zone boundaries and regulatory attributes, the tariff system, infrastructure, and other elements – have been modified on several occasions, apparently in an ad hoc manner, that is, without a comprehensive analysis that should precede their definition. Furthermore, changes outside the parking subsystem that directly affect it must also be considered, such as a sudden increase in car ownership levels, modifications in dynamic traffic regimes, changes in the operation and tariff system of public transport, and similar factors. All of the above were the reasons behind writing this paper, which aims, based on a limited example from the inner central area of Belgrade, to assess the current parking state, identify key shortcomings in its management, and propose guidelines that would contribute to achieving the strategic objectives of parking management within the broader framework of sustainable development.