This includes topics such as loading and unloading places, with or without electric charging points, logistics hubs, better coordination about the use of public space (advertisements, terraces, parked bicycles), specific access policies for different target groups and vehicles via the exemption policy and the accessibility of parking spaces and garages for residents and visitors.
Extension delivery time window area
Together with carriers, entrepreneurs and interest groups, the municipality of Groningen is working on a plan to reduce freight and delivery traffic in the city centre. This plan is called ‘Space for Zero Emission City Logistics’. The goal is that the delivery time window will apply throughout the city center, Westerhaven and the Sledemennerbuurt in 2023 and that supply will only be emission-free (electric, with hydrogen, by bicycle) in 2025.
Window times are times (between 05:00 and 12:00) at which commercial vehicles and trucks have access to (part of) the city to load and unload. Parts of the city center, such as the Grote Markt, Herestraat and Folkingestraat, have had window times for many years. The exemption policy has changed since 1 February 2023 and the window times apply within the entire inner city of Diepenring, the Westerhaven area and in the Sledemennerbuurt. Click here for more information (in Dutch) about the window times in the city center of Groningen.
Digital enforcement
Establishing a zero emission zone also requires a different, more effective, way of enforcement. To investigate whether ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras are the answer to this, a trial is being conducted in the city center of Groningen with electronic enforcement based on ANPR cameras.
The results are still very promising; the technology works well and the software is workable for employees.
