Germany - The implementation of area-wide traffic calming measures is not a priority in German K

Description

The implementation of comprehensive traffic calming measures is becoming increasingly popular in German municipalities. Particularly prominent examples are the so-called "Kiez-Blocks" in Berlin or the "Ottensen macht Platz" project in Hamburg. The basic aim of these activities is to displace traffic from outside the neighborhood and slow down the remaining motorized traffic in order to increase traffic safety and improve the residential environment. However, critics of these measures fear that the measures taken will not reduce motor vehicle speeds to the desired extent and/or that the neighboring road network will be additionally burdened by displacement effects.
A systematization of the framework conditions and the methods with which the effects of area-wide traffic calming can be reliably measured is still lacking. Determining the effects is also made more difficult by the phenomenon of "traffic evaporation", which describes the fact that with appropriate measures (e.g. better public transport services), the overall volume of motor vehicle traffic in cities is reduced to a significant extent.

The aim of this project is to take stock of the effects of area-wide traffic calming measures and to systematize data collection methods. The focus is to be on the traffic effects, e.g. traffic safety or the shifting effects to adjacent road areas or other traffic modes. The causes of the measured changes will also be investigated. As a result, the project should provide a systematic overview of previous findings regarding the effects of area-based traffic calming in Germany and abroad. In addition, the project will provide concrete recommendations for the systematic measurement and evaluation of these effects.

Opportunity closing date

17 December 2024

Value of contract

to be confirmed