According to data from the AIPARK Observatory, integrated with other sources, Italy ranks first in Europe for the number of cars, with 690 vehicles per 1,000 inhabitants, compared to an EU average of 560. This primacy highlights not only the strong dependence of Italians on the car, but also the great challenges that the country must face in terms of urban mobility and traffic management.
One of the main problems that emerged from the research concerns urban traffic, with approximately 30% generated by vehicles looking for a parking space. This data is particularly relevant if we consider that 75% of the European population lives in urban areas and that finding a parking space represents only the last leg of a journey. In Italy, the average time to find a parking space is 15 minutes per day, but it often exceeds this figure, further aggravating traffic congestion.
A queue of cars from Rome to Moscow Despite the obvious inconveniences, 76% of Italians continue to travel by car. However, this massive use of private vehicles is not supported by an adequate availability of parking spaces. According to the AIPARK Observatory, to fill this gap, over 670,000 new parking spaces would be needed, equivalent to an uninterrupted line of cars 3,000 km long, equal to the distance between Rome and Moscow.
The analysis of some large Italian cities reveals a particularly critical situation: Rome lacks over 200,000 parking spaces, with a ratio of 1 parking space for every 39 residents; Naples lacks over 65,000 (1 for every 31 residents); Turin lacks over 35,000 (1 for every 15); Milan over 31,000 (1 for every 13) and Genoa over 31,000 (1 for every 22). In comparison, the best-equipped European cities have on average one parking space for every 10 residents.
Parking as urban hubs One solution to improve the quality of urban life is to transform parking lots into multifunctional urban hubs, capable of responding to the different needs of cities, while increasing their economic value and contributing to environmental objectives.
“The solution to the emergency – says Laurence A. Bannerman, Secretary General of AIPARK – is an integrated urban mobility policy that considers parking areas, both on the street and in structures, and related services as key tools to reduce congestion, promote urban redevelopment, incentivize alternative transport and reduce pollution”.
Digital innovation has a crucial role in this transformation, enabling new models of parking that are more intelligent, efficient and flexible, capable of supporting multimodal mobility and improving the overall travel experience for people and goods.
