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The
Langenlois Traffic Reduction Community
Within
the framework of the Lower Austrian State Traffic Concept, the
concept of a „traffic reduction community“ was developed alongside
other proposals for measures against the increase in motorized
individual traffic (MIV). Thanks to a convincing traffic concept,
Langenlois was chosen to demonstrate how this measure could be
implemented in Lower Austrian communities with a population of
less than 7000 (about 95% of all communities in the state).
The
four-year model project “Langenlois Traffic Reduction Community”
aims at the voluntary renunciation of car rides that can easily
be replaced by more environment-friendly means of transportation.
Various well-coordinated measures propagate such alternative forms
of transportation and demonstrate their advantages for the individual
as well as the community (mottos: “It is fun to reduce traffic”
and “It is an advantage to be a traffic reduction community”).
According
to the spirit of the Lower Austrian State Traffic Concept, the
“traffic reduction community” is deliberately designed as a long-term
project that will gradually but lastingly shape the life of the
community. The Traffic Reduction Manual provides a careful and
lucid documentation of the entire project. In it, all of the measures
are laid out in such a way that they can easily be reproduced
by other communities. The effects of the project are analysed
in detail through polls and traffic counts (scientific evaluation).
Already after one year, 27% of the inhabitants affirmed that since
the start of the project, they had begun to use environment-friendly
means of transportation, including walking, instead of the car.
Features
of the project:
- The
promotion of the local economy is an equally important goal.
Attractive shopping and leisure possibilities, and as many local
places of work as possible, are prerequisite for reducing traffic.
- The
will to reduce traffic is central (“Traffic reduction begins
in the head”). In the framewok of a first evaluation (Fall-Winter
1999), 34% of the inhabitants (44% of the drivers) agreed with
the statement that it is possible to motivate people to choose
environment-friendly means of transportation without “compulsion”
(i.e. without the introduction of new laws).
- The
organization of the project as well as the strategies of motivation
are designed to have a lasting effect.
- No
restrictions will be put on driving.
- The
individual measures must be inexpensive, so that they may easily
be reproduced by all communitites. Motto: “Good ideas instead
of high costs.”
The following
measures were, with great approval from the public, realized by
the "traffic reduction" project team in Langenlois:·
- "Cyclists
framed" campaign. Each month 70 cyclists are photographed and
are entered into a draw. The winner receives a gift voucher
worth 36 Euro.·
- Annual
idea competitions. Themes up until now: "Promoting cycling",
"Advertisements to promote pedestrianization", "Shopping locally",
"traffic reduction in schools and business".·
- Regular
articles about traffic reduction in local newspapers.·
- Initiatives
to promote shopping locally and shopping with a bicycle. Promoted
by the Langenlois economy including a special bonus system for
shoppers with a bicycle.·
- "On foot"
campaign. Langenlois doctors "prescribe" people brisk walks.·
- "Reduce
traffic, get in" campaign. A car sharing system including a
taxi collection service for the return journey.·
- Installations
of new, attractive bicycle stands.·
- Broschure
for traffic reduction in Langenlois.·
- "Langenlois
electrobike test". A project where 33 local test electro-cycles
over a period of two weeks.·
- "Free
bicycle service" initiative. 60 gift vouchers for a free bicycle
service are given away.·
- "Cycle
to school" initiative. Teachers are motivated to cycle to school
more often.·
- Annual
traffic reduction celebrations in spring.·
- Opening
and signposting of the "Green Axis", a 6km long strip of land
though the area. With restricted traffic, the area is ideal
for cyclists.·
- "Traffic
reduction for business". Traffic reduction measures developed
for business. This includes participation from the workers.·
- "Traffic
reduction at school". Initiative to promote traffic reduction
and to motivate children into taking part in the campaign.
The projects
success lay in its conscious and imaginative foundation which,
together with the steps taken and the public's contribution, came
into being.
Initiator and partners
The
Government of the Province of Lower Austria
The
Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Water-Management
The Community of Langenlois
Herry - Consulting and Traffic Planning
Praschl - Mobility & Motivation
Research
Objectives
- Promote
the acceptance of environmentally friendly forms of transport
amongst the population and decisive parties.
- Create
a significant reduction to the increasing use of cars in a model
community, in effect reducing the traffic on all roads by 5%.
Duration
1st January
1999 until 31st December 2002 (continuing with the community's
further management of the project.)
Target group(s)
Langenlois
Inhabitants
Costs
Euro 300.000,-
Obtained and/or expected results
The four
year model project could, in effect, decrease the use of cars
by the population over 18 years of age from 63% down to 54%. The
proportions of cyclists would increase from 3% to 14%, respectively.
The results achieved were a decrease in the community's traffic
mileage by 4%. While the Langenlois population's mileage was 158.000km
per day in 1998, in 2002 it was only 152.000km. The CO2 output
was also reduced from 33 tons per day to 31 tons.
Future plans
Langenlois
will continue its role as a "traffic reduction community". The
example of the model project will be used to create 20 more such
communities in the Lower Austrian state within the next 4 years.
Further promotion of the project will continue throughout the
country.
Contact person (contact details)
The Government
of the Province of Lower Austria, Traffic consulting
Landhausplatz 1, A-3109 St. Pölten, Phone: +43 1 2742 9005 15560,
www.noel.gv.at,
mail: christoph.westhauser@noel.gv.at
Federal
ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management
Stubenring 1, A-1010 Vienna, Phone: +43 1 515 22-7208, www.lebensministerium.at,
mail: robert.thaler@bmu.gv.at
For
more information: http://www.vspar.at
Request
your traffic reduction brochure at:
Stadtgemeinde
Langenlois, Alois Gruber, Rathausstraße 2, A-3550 Langenlois,
phone: 0043 2734 2101-11;
fax: 0043 2734 2101-39
e-mail:
gde.langenlois@wvnet.at
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