The family of tourists hit in the center of Como is a verdict: the ZTL revolution is needed and it's needed now
The issue of overcrowding in Como's historic center is a very complex matter that requires attention and concrete solutions.
Contesto
The tourist family hit last Saturday on Via Boldoni, in front of Coin, fortunately did not cause too severe injuries, but once again raises the issue of overcrowding in the historic center. An area better known as Limited Traffic Zone (ZTL) but – beyond hours, rules, and regulations – is plainly visible to everyone as being invaded by motor vehicles of all kinds, practically at any hour. The issue is not new for the city of Como, but the recent incident has refocused attention on the theme and the need for a true revolution in managing mobility in the historic center. The ZTL was introduced in 2003, aiming to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality. However, in recent years, there has been an exponential increase in the number of visitors and residents crowding the historic center's streets, making the ZTL increasingly inefficient. According to the City of Como's data, in 2022, over 12 million visitors were recorded in the historic center, a 20% increase from the previous year. 📊 This means the historic center is crowded with over 33,000 people every day, contributing to the ZTL's ineffectiveness. ⚠️ The situation is even more critical considering the ZTL is only active from Tuesday to Saturday, from 7 AM to 7 PM, with no restrictions for motor vehicles for the rest of the week. 📆 This means residents and visitors can still park freely in the historic center, contributing to its congestion. The most alarming aspect is that the ZTL has not been updated in years, with current restrictions dating back to 2015. 📊 The latest available data indicates the ZTL was violated over 150,000 times in 2022, a 30% increase from the previous year. 🚫 The tourist family hit last Saturday is just the latest in a long series of incidents involving visitors and residents in the...
Dettagli operativi
The tourist family hit in central Como is a verdict: the ZTL revolution is needed and needed now. The mix with the avalanches of tourists who will graze between the Duomo and the tables until autumn contains alarm elements. In fact, even without removing trucks and assorted vehicles, the congestion of Como's historic center, considering only pedestrians and tourists, makes the simple walk along the mythic 'vasche' slow or difficult throughout the peak season. Como's historic center is one of the largest and most crowded in Italy. In 2022, over 12 million visitors were recorded, with a 20% increase from the previous year. This led to an over 30% increase in pedestrians in the most central areas, making the narrow streets difficult to navigate. The problem is even more serious during the high season, when tourists arrive in droves and streets are congested. The issue is even more complex given the lack of an effective Limited Traffic Zone (ZTL). Regional Law No. 22 of 2019 introduced ZTL regulations in Como, but its implementation has been repeatedly delayed. In 2022, the city decided to implement an experimental ZTL, but the result was disappointing. According to ANAS data, Como's ZTL covered only 30% of the planned areas, with a 25% increase in pedestrians. The problem is also linked to a lack of long-term urban planning. Como's urban plan dates back to 2011 and does not account for visitor needs. The lack of parking and green areas has led to increased parking near the historic center, further congesting the streets. The tourist family hit in central Como is a verdict that cannot be ignored. It's time to change course and implement an effective ZTL that considers the needs of both visitors and residents. A possible solution could be a one-way ZTL with limited access ho...
Punti chiave
The family of tourists hit in the center of Como is a verdict: the ZTL revolution is needed and needed now. For about 4 years, the municipality has been announcing and promising a 'new ZTL revolution' as imminent. Well, if this joker card is really ready and is destined to have such a profound impact on the diabolical and risky mix that is being created in the heart of Como, it's time to put it on the table. The ZTL, i.e. the limited traffic zone, was implemented in Como in 2018, with the aim of reducing urban traffic congestion and improving air quality. However, recent events have highlighted the need for a radical revision of this policy. The collision with a family of tourists in the center of Como is just the latest in a long series of incidents that have hit the city. According to ANAS data, in 2022 there were over 500 road accidents in the city, with a 20% increase compared to the previous year. Incidents with victims increased by 15%, with a total of 12 deaths and over 100 serious injuries. The situation is particularly critical during peak season, when the city is full of tourists and road traffic becomes chaotic. Last year, for example, the city recorded a 30% increase in traffic compared to the previous year, with a total of over 1.5 million vehicles passing through the city in a single day. The current ZTL is unable to manage this flow of traffic, and the situation is further exacerbated by the lack of parking spaces and the poor efficiency of traffic control systems. According to the municipality's data, in 2022 there were over 10,000 unauthorized accesses to the ZTL, with a 25% increase compared to the previous year. It's time to change course and implement a new traffic management policy that is more effective and more respectful of citizens a...