Enforcing access restrictions

Summary

New solutions were developed in Krakow to integrate access control and enforcement using electronic vehicle identification technology.

Implementing sustainable mobility

Krakow was one of the first cities in Poland to implement access restrictions in inner-city areas (divided into A, B and C zones), reducing the number of private cars while improving conditions for public transportation, pedestrians and cyclists.

In the city’s B zone, access is restricted to residents and goods deliveries. Prior to measure implementation, illegal entry and parking were controlled only by on-street wardens. However, this system, which operated on the basis of windscreen permit stickers, did not prove sufficient to enforce the access controls. It was therefore decided to install an electronic vehicle recognition system to deter cars from entering the restricted zones.

Progress

The measure focused on access control at one important entry point to the city centre and aimed to reduce through traffic by 70 percent. If successful, the system could then be expanded to all entry points of the city’s B zone.

Following extensive research into the market for electronic access control systems in Poland, meetings were organised with three potential system providers as well as with the municipal police and road authorities. Once the provider was chosen and the software had been developed, three testing sites were identified and testing was launched in December 2007. It was based on number-plate recognition cameras linked to software that identifies illegal access and automatically issues the appropriate fine.

Outcomes

The number-plate recognition technology proved to be between 80 and 89 percent effective. The number of illegal transit trips fell, helping to reduce the volume of traffic in the historic city centre.

Analysis indicated that the income generated by fines imposed on drivers was quickly able to cover the cost of the optical recognition system.