The organizers of the French GP promise improvements
After the traffic nightmare experienced by spectators at the 2018 French Grand Prix, the race organizers decided to respond and provide concrete solutions aimed at improving the flow of movement around the Var track during the weekend.
The return of the French Grand Prix, after 10 years of absence, at the Circuit Paul Ricard in 2018 was an undeniable popular, sporting, and commercial success.
But as in any new venture, some parameters needed to be reviewed, including the serious access and exit difficulties of the site located on the Castellet plateau, a true enclave in the middle of the Var pine forest.
Numerous complaints from disgruntled and disillusioned spectators regarding the organization around the circuit—some even giving up on attending despite having purchased tickets due to traffic difficulties—have reached the ears of the organizers, who have decided to take the bull by the horns to provide sustainable and effective solutions for the second edition planned for next June.
Accompanied by the engineering firm CITEC, a specialist in managing major sports events, the organizing GIP of the Grand Prix was able to use data from the 2018 edition to propose mobility solutions around four main axes:
Diversification of modes of transportation
With the creation of free, supervised park-and-ride facilities at the highway exits and the provision of shuttles every three minutes (with entertainment planned during the trip), also free, guaranteeing access to the circuit in an average of 45 minutes, the organizers hope to significantly reduce traffic flow around the circuit.
Carpooling will also be highlighted and rewarded since cars with a minimum of five people will be guided to a dedicated access for a reserved parking area. A bus station will also be created to accommodate taxis, ride-shares, and buses.
Motorcyclists will not be forgotten either, as there will be the creation of additional parking for two-wheelers, paved and with direct access to the circuit, as well as a larger and more convenient camping area for spectators who wish to stay on site for the entire weekend.
2- Reestablish parking zones
Parking areas for spectators will be smaller and more numerous (15 instead of 8 last year) and above all without any entry and exit control since they are now free.
This modification aims to greatly simplify traffic around and in the parking lots, which was one of the major issues of the 2018 edition.
Moreover, the peripheral system will be removed, with each axis providing direct access to parking areas.
3- Better road development
A new route will be opened towards Toulon, thereby allowing a reduction in congestion on the most frequented route. The Camp crossroads, a true meeting and bottleneck point last year, will also be modified into a dual carriageway, and the exit routes towards Le Beausset and Cuges-les-Pins will be made one-way for 2 to 3 hours to speed up departures.
4- Inform the public in real time about traffic conditions
New signage will be implemented, particularly in parking areas, to make public movement easier.
Furthermore, a dedicated mobility application for the vicinity of the Circuit Paul Ricard will be launched and presented in the coming weeks, offering real-time display of travel times between the highway and the circuit, as well as the status of parking areas. This information will also be available on the circuit’s giant screens, allowing the public to adjust their departure times. A comprehensive program of activities after the sessions will also be implemented until 10 PM, giving the public the freedom to choose their departure time.
