PPA expanding 'smart loading zones' in Philadelphia, citing positive impact on congestion
If you park your car in one of these zones, you will need to register it on the CurbPass website.
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Philadelphia's smart loading zone program has expanded from 22 blocks to 52 blocks in Center City, according to the Philadelphia Parking Authority, which says the initiative is helping reduce double parking and improve traffic flow.
Under the program, users are required to scan a QR code, download the CurbPass app and register their vehicles.
A camera then monitors the amount of time a vehicle spends in the loading zone and bills the user 10 cents per minute.
The smart loading zone initiative began a little more than one year ago.
A map provided by the Philadelphia Parking Authority shows the locations of the 52 blocks included in the program, with the newest additions highlighted in green and existing locations in purple.
Philadelphia Parking Authority Deputy Executive Director Corrine O'Connor said the program is intended to reduce double parking by giving drivers more opportunities to legally access curb space.
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"If we keep decreasing, people double parking and having that opportunity to pull at the curbside, load or unload, it's going to make everybody's transit a lot quicker," O'Connor said.
O'Connor said the smart loading zones have reduced double parking and increased traffic speeds on Chestnut and Walnut streets by roughly 30%.
"It's all about behavior change. We saw about 50,000 people download the application, and hopefully that keeps increasing," O'Connor said.
Of the approximately 50,000 CurbPass app downloads, O'Connor said about 8,000 are associated with fleet accounts operated by companies such as UPS and FedEx.
Several UPS drivers approached for comment said they do not use the application, but declined to be identified.
Iggy Tony, however, said his company recently began using the system after he received a citation.
"I didn't even know about it. Got a ticket, 51 bucks," Tony said.
The first three minutes in the smart loading zones are free.
After that, drivers could be subject to a $51 ticket.
The new zones have a 30 day warning period that begins Monday.
According to the Philadelphia Parking Authority, 78% of violators receive only one citation, which the agency says indicates users are adopting the technology rather than repeatedly violating the rules.
For a map of smart loading zones, visit the PPA website.
