Addressing congestion in the Cansiglio forest (North-East Italy) via introduction of parking fees

Khánh Linh Duong 2023. "Addressing congestion in the Cansiglio forest (North-East Italy) via introduction of parking fees". Master Thesis. The University of Lleida.

Supervisors: Prof. Sergio de Miguel (University of Lleida, Spain) and Prof. Mara Thiene (University of Padova, Italy)

Summary:

The issue of congestion in the Cansiglio forest has become increasingly pressing due to a significant surge in tourist numbers seeking entertainment and the enjoyment of its exceptional ecosystem services, especially in the post-COVID-19 era. One of the contemplated solutions to address this matter is the implementation of parking fees in Cansiglio, aiming to alleviate traffic congestion and generate revenue to conserve and enhance ecosystem services in the area. The objective of this study is to investigate the characteristics and preferences of visitors regarding ecosystem services and their attitudes toward payments for parking fees if applied in Cansiglio. A questionnaire-based on-site survey was conducted at the Cansiglio forest in the northern region of Italy to ascertain specific information about the density of visitors to the forest and influences of weather on the number of visits, factors contributing to congestion in the Cansiglio forest, motivators influencing tourists' decisions to explore the forest, and the significance of Ecosystem Services (ES) as motivators, and finally, the fee level that gain the highest paying agreement among visitors regarding parking fees and the most preferred payment method. The results revealed that congestion peak is in August, especially during weekends. Weather conditions significantly influence visitors' travel decisions, and factors such as a high volume of car traffic and relatively long stays ranging from 4 to 6 hours up to a day contribute to congestion in Cansiglio. Visitors come to Cansiglio with various purposes, with hiking and picnicking being predominant, emphasizing the profound importance of well-managed ES in the area. A significant portion of visitors expressed agreement with a parking fee of 3 euro, with the preferred payment method depending on visitor demographics, either through Telepass or Parking meter. An in-depth understanding of these characteristics provides valuable and insightful information for future management strategies in the study area.