Mobility

A general view of the scheme

The majority of Business Parks (PAE)A Business Park (PAE), sometimes called a Business Zone (ZAE), is defined here as being a geographic area dedicated to economic activity/business. It may comprise both industries and companies from the tertiary sector. are located close to major roads in order to encourage the transportation of goods by road and to facilitate access for drivers.

This situation has numerous harmful consequences, including: traffic congestion, stress, accidents, lost time, the impact on the environment (greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, noise, etc.).

However, in one respect, it is possible to improve the accessibility of business parks by developing infrastructures and offering alternatives to single person car useMovement of a single person in his/her own car. (car sharing, environmentally friendly modes of transport and public transport). In other respects, it is also appropriate to encourage driving that is more respectful of the environment. Such actions will only really be effective if they are accompanied by good communication.

It is vital to conduct an initial assessment, in advance, to draw up an inventory and propose solutions.

Assessment

Conducting a general mobility assessment enables actions specific to the position of a particular business park to be identified: developing public transport and environmentally friendly modes of transport, improving the business park’s infrastructures.

The project leader examines these approaches with mobility partners (local authorities, transport companies, etc.) and, where necessary, refines them by conducting a mobility survey.

Public transport

Only between 2 and 4% of workers use public transport to travel to and from business parks, according to mobility surveys conducted within the framework of the Life-SMIGIN project (depending on the Mobility plan for the business park (PMZA)Company transport plans for a business park as a whole. for Nivelles-Sud and Créalys).

In general, public transport services do not meet the needs of those working on business parks: a lack of bus routes serving business parks, the timetables and/or routes for existing public transport services not being compatible with working hours.

A number of actions may be taken in order to provide a service that meets the needs of users:

• adapting existing timetables and routes,
• creating a shuttle connecting the business park with a nearby station that has a frequent service or with the town/city centre.

Car sharing

For employees and companies, car sharing offers environmental and economic advantages including: reducing the costs of journeys and tax relief. Despite this, according to mobility surveys conducted within the framework of the Life-SMIGIN project or PMZA (Mobility plans for business parks)Company transport plans for a business park as a whole. for Nivelles-Sud and Créalys, only between 6 and 11% of workers use this mode of transport.

Nevertheless, within a business park, the proximity of a large number of companies increases the possibilities for matchingFormation of car-sharing team. and should therefore be favourable to this practice.

There are various ways of encouraging car sharing:

• Organising car sharing for the entire business park.
• Providing parking spaces that are reserved for car poolers within companies.
• Raising workers’ awareness of car sharing.

Environmentally friendly modes of transport

The infrastructures on business parks (PAE) are often unsuitable for pedestrians or cyclists, or are quite unsafe: a lack of pavements and cycle paths, uncontrolled parking encroaching on public roads, inadequate lighting, etc.

There are various ways of encouraging these modes of transport:

• improving infrastructures,
• organising meetings to raise the awareness of users of the business park.

Cars and lorries

Certain car journeys to business parks are unavoidable for workers, visitors, customers and suppliers.

However, here are few examples of possible ways of reducing their impact on the environment:

• improving the GPS referencing of roads on the business park to avoid detours,
• guaranteeing good signage for the business park and companies,
• organising eco-driving training for workers to reduce their vehicles’ fuel consumption.

Infrastructures

On business parks, the quality of infrastructures as well as entrance signs and developed public spaces play a key role in the brand image of the park and companies as well as in road safety.

It is possible to take various types of action to improve these different aspects:

• improving signage on the business park (by installing signs from major roads),
• improving road safety and infrastructures (speed limits, road markings, pedestrian crossings, pavements, parking areas for lorries, etc.)

Communication

Where there are alternatives to the car for reaching the business park, it is beneficial to conduct an information campaign aimed at workers to make them aware of these alternatives, by:

• promoting alternatives to single person car use,
• organising information meetings aimed at workers,
• la raising the awareness of heads of companies.