Last month, the European Parking Association (EPA) brought European institutions, cities and the wider mobility sector together in Dublin for its inaugural EU Policy Forum on Mobility & Parking. ESPORG General Manager Dirk Penasse joined the Forum”s discussions to represent truck parking.
Held on the eve of EPA’s Annual General Assembly, the Forum attracted more than 80 senior representatives from European and national institutions, cities and the wider mobility sector. With Ireland holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Dublin was a natural choice of host city.
The European Parking Association (EPA aisbl) is representing on- and off-street car parking, positively promoting car parking solutions for sustainable mobility. While EPA focuses on car parking in and around cities, ESPORG represents safe and secure truck parking for professional drivers along Europe’s transport corridors.
Parking at the crossroads of European policy
Organised during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Forum offered a timely opportunity to examine the European policies and projects shaping urban mobility and parking, and the parking sector’s role in a rapidly evolving mobility landscape.
In his opening words, EPA President Theo Thuis said, “Parking is changing — and the world around us is changing even faster.” He then gave examples: “Cities are reorganising. People and goods move differently. Electric mobility is accelerating. Digital platforms are reshaping services. And now, the extraordinary pace of artificial intelligence is transforming the environment in which we operate.”
He described the development of the parking sector through the “triangle” of Policy, Infrastructure and Technology. “It is truly an interesting moment for our sector.” – Theo Thuis, EPA President.
The first session, moderated by EPA Executive Director Tom Antonissen, reviewed the European policies and projects shaping urban mobility and parking.
Beyond the Parking Bubble
One of the Forum’s central session “Beyond the Parking Bubble: The Value of Cross-Sector Collaboration”, explored how parking can contribute to a more connected and sustainable mobility ecosystem.
Moderated by EPA President Theo Thuis , the discussion brought together representatives from the wider mobility sector: ESPORG – representing truck parking, the International Association of Public Transport (UITP); Eurocities. and ALICE.
The discussion highlighted the importance of cooperation between parking operators, freight transport, public transport authorities and urban mobility stakeholders.
Representing the truck parking sector, ESPORG General Manager Dirk Penasse stressed that parking infrastructure must be recognised not simply as a place where vehicles stop, but as an essential service supporting transport operations, professional drivers and European supply chains.
ESPORG General Manager gave a passionate speech on the needs and significant problems faced by truck drivers when looking for a parking space. “It takes truck drivers around an hour to find a place to park for the night.” During his presentation, “Truck Parking’s Expanding Role in Europe’s Mobility Ecosystem”, Dirk Penasse highlighted the urgent need to expand Europe’s safe and secure truck parking network. An important message from ESPORG’s participation was that infrastructure development must also respond to the needs of the people who use it. Professional truck drivers depend on suitable parking facilities to comply with driving and rest-time regulations, access essential services and maintain their health and wellbeing.
The discussions in Dublin fostered a fruitful exchange of views and developments across the parking and mobility sector, from urban parking to secure truck parking.
Whether supporting urban logistics, public transport integration, electric vehicle charging or long-distance freight transport, parking infrastructure is becoming an important enabler of European mobility policies.
Photos and information: courtesy of the European Parking Association (EPA) – Parking Trend International.
