The city wants to reduce through traffic and strengthen pedestrian and bicycle traffic
A traffic control system will be in place on Schöfferstrasse in Darmstadt starting Monday, October 5th. The work is expected to last until Saturday, October 10th. With this new traffic management system, the city of Darmstadt aims to reduce through traffic, improve pedestrian and bicycle traffic, and make crossing the street safer.
The traffic control barrier is being built near the central library of Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences (h_da) and extends over a section of Schöfferstraße approximately 100 meters long. Partial barriers, guide rails, and markings will be used. A rotating barrier will ensure that the fire department can still pass through in case of an emergency.
Parking spaces remain accessible by car
Schöfferstraße will remain fully open to cyclists. Both access roads to Schöfferstraße will also remain open to motor vehicles. This ensures continued access to parking spaces on campus and for residents. Signage will be adjusted accordingly.
The city is also using this section as a test for the new traffic measure. According to forecasts from the city's traffic model, no significant shifts in traffic to the adjacent streets are expected.
“The traffic control barrier will create more safety and improve the quality of life on campus, while also promoting pedestrian and bicycle traffic,” explains Head of Transportation Paul Georg Wandrey. At the same time, the project aims to test how to reduce through traffic without unnecessarily restricting access to adjacent areas. The experience gained will help in evaluating similar measures.
University sees opportunity for a car-free campus core
Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences also welcomes the measure. "This presents us with a real opportunity to further develop our green campus sustainably and to make the campus core on Schöfferstraße car-free," says h_da Chancellor Dr. Thomas Bartnitzki. The traffic barrier could help the campus between Albert-Schweitzer-Anlage and Berliner Allee to grow closer together.
(DARMSTADT – RED/PSD/stip)
