Optimization of the Use of Urban Public Space: Analysis of irregular parking in lanes of central urban roads with one carriageway and two lanes. Case study San Juan de Pasto – Colombia,

Abstract

The city of San Juan de Pasto, in Colombia, is one of the localities that have difficulties in urban movement, mainly in the use of parking spaces on its public roads. The aim of this analysis is to establish the effect of the distribution and use of parking on the traffic congestion that occurs in the city center, in order to provide alternatives that allow a better use of public space, a greater fluidity of traffic and mitigation of its effects on the quality of urban life.

A detailed calculation of the occupancy of parking lots at different times of the day in three sectors of downtown San Juan de Pasto is carried out. The visual counting method is used together with GPS and photographic capture of the vehicles to store the information that allows to know the dynamics of all the parking spaces. The results shown in Figure 3 indicate that at the critical hours of the morning and afternoon, the occupancy of the spaces stood at 80%, while at noon, which is the hour of least demand, occupancy remains at 20%.

It was possible to identify that the lack of regulated parking rates and non-permitted stations increase the traffic problem. The study also found that areas near shopping centers, as well as other areas of high economic activity were the most occupied, while peripheral areas had a lower degree of congestion.

The results suggest that the institution of controlled rates for the use of parking lots, the restriction of motorized traffic at certain times of the day, and the improvement of the road network are other elements to combat congestion and mobility. In this sense, the design proposes as a strategy to recover the public space to make it more efficient for the use of the roads in the city of Pasto to facilitate the sustainability and well-being of the population and tourists of this city.