Transport development and mobility plan 2030 (VEP 2030)

While transportation refers to vehicles, infrastructure, timetables, etc., mobility is the ability to travel between A and B. People today want to be comfortably mobile and are generally not fixated on a specific mode of transportation. In addition, we are all much more mobile than we used to be and the framework conditions have also changed.

A VEP must therefore be more than just a plan to keep car traffic as trouble-free as possible. The aim of the city of Erlangen was to develop a holistic and integrated VEP that would help to create environmentally friendly, efficient and sustainable traffic structures in Erlangen. New forms of mobility are also required, as well as networked thinking, digital mobility services and modern mobility management. The VEP 2030 has succeeded in doing just that.

In summary, the objectives are based on the following fundamental considerations:

• The objectives of the VEP 2030 should include and bundle all modes of transportation
  
• The objectives should be geared towards sustainable urban and transport development
  
• The greatest possible social consensus should be found for the development of the objectives
  
• The objectives should be adopted by the city council

Part of the philosophy of the VEP 2030 Erlangen is the early and comprehensive involvement of the entire population. From the very beginning, all citizens were invited to participate and clearly express their opinions. At the heart of the participation concept: the Transport Development Plan Forum, in which almost everyone could feel represented and which met regularly. Among others, important interest groups, associations, initiatives, the city's major employers and employees were represented. The forum met a total of 19 times between November 2013 and December 2020.

Although the Transport Development Plan Forum did not make any decisions, it accompanied the entire process, advised the experts and made recommendations. There were also working groups, information events, online participation, city walks, etc. In addition, the current status was always published on the VEP's homepage and in social media. Maximum transparency on a topic that affects everyone!

The VEP 2030 sees Erlangen as part of the region and does not end at the city limits, but includes the surrounding area as well as neighboring cities such as Nuremberg and Fürth. Erlangen's attractiveness draws not only employers and employees, but also residents and visitors from the entire region. This generates traffic that needs to be managed sustainably.

All of this requires a large amount of information. Data has been collected and analyzed for years. Both the development to date and the forecasts for the year 2030 were taken into account. This data was used to develop recommendations for measures to achieve the objectives of the VEP 2030.

The DIVAN traffic model was used as a tool to estimate the effects of the planned measures and to work in a targeted manner. This is a database with constantly updated information on the number of inhabitants, employees and students at the level of individual city districts. The traffic model also maps the existing road and street network in Erlangen and the surrounding area. It also provides information on the traffic load of individual roads. The traffic model can even be used to produce a forecast for the year 2030. It is therefore an important decision-making aid for traffic planning, because if the results confirm the desired objectives, the respective concept can be pursued further.

The VEP 2030 highlights all mobility options in Erlangen - from car sharing to walking. For sustainable mobility, it is important to link the different types of mobility moresser with each other and thus strengthen diversity. To this end, so-called mobility points are being implemented in the urban area. At these points, all modes of transport are offered and linked together. These include bicycle parking spaces, possibly a bicycle rental system, parking spaces for cars, public transport stops and car-sharing vehicles - all within walking distance of densely populated residential areas and the locations of large employers.

Local public transport (ÖPNV)

Public transport in the city of Erlangen could be greatly expanded, especially for journeys beyond the city limits. Making buses and trains more attractive can therefore offer very effective incentives to encourage commuters in particular to change modes. The VEP 2030 provides practical solutions to attract more passengers to public transport. These include direct connections without transfers, a stronger orientation of bus routes to the locations of large companies and the university as well as the city-city subway (StUB). The latter is intended to link Erlangen with Nuremberg in the south and Herzogenaurach in the west and, in the long term, with Eschenau in the east. As the StUB is both a classic inner-city streetcar and a regional light rail system and is connected to the road network by Park&Ride stations, it is a prime example of the symbiosis of different types of mobility.

Motorized traffic

Two highways, a federal highway and several state and district roads run through Erlangen. If you want to reach a particular destination by car, you often have several options. The negative consequences of this are a high proportion of motor vehicles in total traffic and the associated noise, exhaust fumes and immense demand for space for driving and parking.

The VEP 2030 therefore aims to concentrate motor vehicle traffic on suitable roads and at the same time relieve other roads of car traffic through appropriate measures. A priority network with first and second-class roads was developed for this purpose. This also takes into account the access roads from important neighboring towns, as through traffic and inter-urban traffic in particular are to be concentrated on the priority network.

In addition to the road networks, the vehicles themselves will also change. In order to be prepared for more electric cars, the VEP 2030 provides for the expansion of public e-charging stations. Such charging stations for electric cars will also be located at mobility stations.

Stationary traffic

Traffic not only includes moving traffic, but also stationary traffic. Parked cars, motorcycles, trucks and bicycles need space, and space is very scarce, especially in the city center. In addition, space for pedestrians can be restricted if parts of the sidewalk are used for parking. This reduces both the quality of life and road safety.

In order to develop a sustainable parking concept, the most important goals were developed on the basis of the current situation and fields of action. Issues such as the reduction of sidewalk parking, the restructuring of tariff systems and the multiple use of parking spaces are to be tackled successively. The planned measures will result in the loss of parking spaces in the city center, which is to be compensated for by suitable solutions. This includes, among other things, the promotion of Park&Ride and eco-mobility in order to reduce journeys by private car in general.

Cycling

The conditions for cycling in Erlangen are good: short distances, little incline and a well-developed network of cycle paths. Erlangen is therefore already known as a cycling city. Nevertheless, the share of cyclists in total traffic can be further increased. Cycling in Erlangen must become easier, faster, more comfortable and safer so that even those who currently tend to take the car will cycle more often.

A wide range of improvements have therefore been considered. Fast cycle connections, a more dense cycle path network, cycle-friendly surfaces, priority for cyclists on important axes and the opening up of one-way streets in both directions, for example. But also mobile bicycle stands and more bicycle racks. The main aim of all this is to make cycling safer and more attractive. The share of cycling in both inland and overall traffic should increase significantly by 2030.

Pedestrian traffic

Part of every journey is made on foot. The VEP 2030 aims to specifically support this environmentally friendly, space-saving and healthy form of mobility - for example with sufficiently wide and clear footpaths, the routing of the most important footpaths through traffic-calmed areas and 30 km/h zones, signposts for pedestrians, better crossing options and an improved quality of stay. As part of the VEP 2030, corresponding quality standards for footpath connections were drawn up, which will be taken into account in future planning.

In addition to promoting pedestrian traffic, its importance is to be highlighted and pedestrian traffic is to be anchored as an independent mode of transport in the city administration, politics and the public.

Mobility management

Mobility management can be understood as the mediation between the mobility offer and the transport demand or the mobility needs of the various target groups (citizens, companies, etc.). Corresponding measures can be: communication, information, advice, motivation, education and training. The common goal is to promote more sustainable mobility.

Through permanent and systematic mobility management, mobility behavior can be controlled in a targeted manner and around five percent of private vehicle traffic can be avoided or shifted. Corresponding projects should therefore be implemented in Erlangen. Mobility management offers should initially be aimed at the target groups of new residents, large companies, children and young people as well as students.

The overall traffic concept developed and coordinated in the traffic development and mobility plan includes numerous individual measures. Their implementation is intended to achieve the strategic goals of the VEP 2030. Care was taken to ensure that the concepts and their measures can be implemented within ten to 15 years.

The implementation results, progress and effects will be reviewed in depth by means of an accompanying evaluation in order to adapt or revise the contents of the VEP if necessary. The VEP 2030 is therefore not a completed project, but will be continuously developed and gradually implemented in parallel. This allows the VEP 2030 to adapt to actual traffic, economic and social developments. This is important because Erlangen's own dynamics, as well as the long-term effects of coronavirus on traffic behavior in the future, can only be estimated to a limited extent at this point in time. The same applies to the introduction of the 365-euro ticket or the e-ticket, the more diverse use of cargo bikes and developments in (partially) autonomous driving and electromobility.

Upcoming projects include the implementation of a parking space concept for the city center, the updating of the local transport plan and plans for high-speed cycle connections to Nuremberg, Herzogenaurach, Fürth and Bamberg. Bicycle lanes are also to be redesigned or set up to a uniform standard. Furthermore, a revision of the municipal parking space statutes is planned for 2021. The intensive exchange with citizens and other stakeholders is to be maintained.

With all these projects, the transport development and mobility plan is continuously developing mobility in Erlangen and making it fit for the future. Ultimately, the traffic flows in the city should be designed in such a way that citizens enjoy living in Erlangen.