ADAC: Koblenz model of staggered parking fees could become a role model

The decision by the city of Koblenz to tier residents' parking fees based on the actual space used has met with understanding from ADAC Mittelrhein. The fee in the Rhineland-Palatinate city will henceforth be calculated using the formula "length times width times 45 cents times 52 weeks." Koblenz has around 6,000 parking permits, primarily in the inner city and adjoining districts. Parking spaces have become a scarce commodity, especially in cities, said Christian Schmidt, head of Mobility and Environment at ADAC Mittelrhein. "Therefore, we can understand that municipalities consider the value of parking space when determining parking fees, to make more efficient use of it." If parking spaces, as is often the case in cities, are not marked, a distinction based on area appears fundamentally suitable and better than the criterion of weight. 

"The linear assessment is more appropriate and easier to comprehend than significant price jumps between vehicle size classes," said Schmidt.