A comprehensive series of surveys were carried out in order to determine the basic parameters of on-street goods deliveries activities in the city of Barcelona. The surveys involved interviews with representative samples of all types of shops/stores, direct observation of kerbside activities, plus interviews with goods vehicle operators. Following on from a comprehensive survey of goods vehicle movements, the SMILE project has implemented junction measures (Eixample District) and has piloted a combined-use lane along Balmes Street (Sant Gervasi District). Both the junction and pilot section measures have been successful in improving the availablity of kerbside space for goods delivery access, and this has improved the general circulation of road traffic. Action is also being taken to modify land-use planning requirements that will mean developers have to make better allowance for goods deliveries off-street. Some further actions are planned to achieve a full tool-box of management measures - including improved automation of enforcement actions.
SMILE (Street Management Improvements for Loading/unloading Enforcement) in Barcelona involves surveys, pilot measures and the implementation of junction regulation changes.
Project partners: VMS equipment for the section measure was supplied by Sainco Tráfico SA
Related activity: PICASSO programme, Barcelona Municipality
Goods distribution in cities is widely recognised as vital for achieving and maintaining an efficient and strong economic base. However, it is typical daily practice to find goods vehicles inadequately parked for carrying out loading/unloading activities and this also disrupts the general circulation of traffic.
The objectives of the SMILE in Barcelona (Street Management Improvements for Loading/unloading Enforcement) project were to:
The following actions have been realised in the SMILE in Barcelona project:
Implementation 1: Surveys & data analysis
From an initial analysis of licensed retail activities and taking account of the road network conditions, six zones were defined for the roadside and retail establishments surveys. A total of 1,387 face-to-face interviews were carried out, obtaining representative sub-samples for six groups of retailer activity (foodstuffs, hotel trade, personal consumption, building materials, leisure and others).
Location map showing survey zones and evaluation sites
for implemented and pilot measures
The following graphics show the contributions of the different retail sectors to the pattern of goods activity over a typical day for each of the six zones.
Zone Nº 1 Sant Pere |
Zone Nº 2 Gràcia |
Zone Nº 3 Sarrià |
Zone Nº 4 Balmes |
Zone Nº 5 Ninot |
Zone Nº 6 Gaudi |
The results of the survey analysis were that:
 |
 |
Time of day / duration of stay of on-street goods delivery movements in Barcelona
Implementation 2: Junction Measures
The junctions in the Eixample District have a quite particular form (see figure below). Given the one-way circulation of traffic, it is possible to design and provide kerbside space for goods deliveries in two of the four triangular areas. (Each triangular area accommodates 5 or 6 vehicles). The figure shows the horizontal signing used to define the reserved areas for loading/unloading.
Figure showing horizontal signing of reserved delivery zones at junctions
The regulations displayed on the vertical signs establish that the reserved spaces are:
Some 700 reserved zones have been signed in this manner throughout the Eixample District. A campaign of improved enforcement was carried out by the Guardia Urbana police:
Implementation 3: Section Measures
Recognising that the junction measures implemented in Eixample (Section 3) are not applicable in all parts of the city, the Municipality has been developing other pilot projects to find solutions that enable the use of limited road space to be optimised and which contribute to a better respect for the defined hierarchical priorities.
Balmes Street is one of the major arterial links of Barcelona’s primary road network, serving traffic entering the centre from the suburbs of Gràcia and Sant Gervasi as well as movements that access interior parts of the city via the Ring Road. At Plaza Molina (Sant Gervasi District) the street has 4 lanes providing one-way access towards the downtown areas. Along a 250m stretch from Pl. Molina the left-most lane has been subject to a set of Variable Message Signs (VMS) that promote traffic regulations that establish a new set of rules:
Four LEDs-type VMS signs have been installed (at the entry to the section, and repeated where cross-streets divide the section). These signs show the appropriate traffic regulation symbols, the times of operation and exceptions (see Figure below) during the weekday restrictions on kerbside access (signs are switched off at times of general access). In addition, the sign promoting loading/unloading use is reinforced by illuminating studs installed along the lane divider markings (see Figure).
Figure showing combined-use lane in Balmes Street, VMS sign plan options, and illuminated studs in lane divider markings
The Balmes combined-use lane came into operation in September 1998. Prior consultation of the measures was undertaken by the Municipality with traders and residents. The week before the scheme became operational, police agents advised drivers about the changes that would render their parking actions illegal the following week. Once in operation, a police officer in contact with a tow-away patrol was responsible for enforcement.
Junction Measures Implemented in Eixample
Before and After observations were carried out in 1997 to determine the effect of the improved signing and enforcement of traffic regulations. Based upon a comparison of observations at four junctions (of the 700 where measures were implemented) the following results were achieved:
It can be seen that the result of the increased enforcement has been an increase in kerbside availability for goods deliveries un/loading.
Pilot Measure of a Combined-use lane, Balmes
The measures have resulted in the elimination of illegal parking by residents. During the hours that the lane is dedicated to loading/unloading the goods delivery vehicles can always find a place to park – double parking no longer occurs. As a result of the improved discipline in lane usage, junction capacity along Balmes is optimised during peak hours and the levels of saturation have been reduced with a corresponding improvement in traffic circulation. The VMS signals are highly visible and this has contributed to the overall success of the scheme.
In the SMILE project, the Municipality has successfully designed and implemented measures that have improved the availability of kerbside space for goods vehicle loading/unloading. Both junction and section measures have been designed and trialled, and the Municipality intends to extend the implementations of these measures to other appropriate locations within Barcelona.
The measures introduced have required a re-organisation of the police enforcement effort to support the new signing and regulations. Barcelona Municipality are investigating methods for automating the detection of vehicle stay infringements in the reserved spaces/lanes, and to thus increase the efficiency by which these measures can be implemented.
Technical enquiries should be addressed to:
Julio García Ramón,
Head of Traffic Management,
Sector Via Pública,
Barcelona Municipality.
Policy issues should be addressed to:
Eduard Albors,
Director of Transport &
Circulation Services,
Sector Via Pública,
Barcelona Municipality.
Editor:
Eduard Albors,
Director of Transport &
Circulation Servies,
Sector Via Pública,
Barcelona Municipality.
The input has been prepared for Eduard Albors by Simon Hayes of BTSA using materials provided by Eduard Albors and staff of the Sector Via Publica Dept of Barcelona Municipality. VMS Equipment for the section measure pilot was supplied and installed by Sainco Tráfico SA.
