A quarter of the 40 parking garages examined by the ANWB score below par. But in the 20 cities surveyed there are also 16 parking garages that score a score of 7 or higher.
The ANWB also assessed the covered parking locations in 2005 and 2009 and not much has improved since then. Accessibility, the size of the parking space, pedestrian safety and facilities such as toilets have been considered. Of the 40 parking garages, Rozet in Arnhem was placed at the bottom of the list with a score of 2.3. According to the test team, parkers there have to deal with steep, narrow slopes, incomprehensible signage and numerous obstacles. According to the ANWB, it is dangerous for pedestrians there and motorists must be careful not to cause damage when parking in reverse. The Haagse Markthof parking garages (mark 2.4) in The Hague and Hoogvliet Centrum in Leiden (2.5) also receive a serious fail.
On the other hand, the researchers praise the Katwolderplein parking garage in Zwolle, which came out best in the test thanks to its spacious layout, safety for pedestrians and a free and clean toilet. The Lammermarkt in Leiden is also positively assessed. According to the researchers, it is “a beautiful double spiral-shaped garage deep under the Leiden city center”. The escape routes are mentioned as a downside. The test team calls the fact that there are only two escape routes 20 meters below ground “not ideal”.
The ANWB also highlights the parking rates, which vary considerably from city to city and can even differ significantly within one city. As an example, Amsterdam is mentioned, where a daily rate of € 68 is charged in Q-Park Byzantium. Parkers are therefore advised of a more suitable alternative. “On the other side of the center is Parking Oosterdok: not only a better car park, but here motorists pay ‘only’ € 25 per day”, according to the ANWB.