Skip to main content

Switzerland to improve traffic flow by 2020

The Swiss federal office for roads, Astra, has announced plans to implement a series of measures by 2020 to ease traffic flow on roads and to prevent congestion Plans include limited use of the emergency lanes for some traffic in peak hours, bans on overtaking for trucks, and a temporary reduction to the maximum speed on heavily congested roads, as well as a targeted management at traffic lights. The measures will be implemented according to the degree of congestion on the national roads. There will also
August 21, 2013 Read time: 1 min
The Swiss federal office for roads, Astra, has announced plans to implement a series of measures by 2020 to ease traffic flow on roads and to prevent congestion

Plans include limited use of the emergency lanes for some traffic in peak hours, bans on overtaking for trucks, and a temporary reduction to the maximum speed on heavily congested roads, as well as a targeted management at traffic lights. The measures will be implemented according to the degree of congestion on the national roads. There will also be an improved disclosure of traffic news via the radio and information boards.

Astra has not disclosed the costs of the proposed measures, but has revealed that development on the emergency lane to accommodate for more traffic amounts to US$5.41 million per kilometre.

Related Content

  • Smart motorway planned for Western Australia
    May 16, 2017
    In a bid to reduce high levels of congestion on the Kwinana Freeway near Perth in Western Australia, the government is planning to introduce a smart motorway by converting the emergency stopping lane to a full-time running lane. The concept is similar to the smart motorways in use in the UK which use variable speed limits during busy times to manage congestion. The US$25 million (AU$47 million) project is expected to start in 2018-2019 and will also include: in-road detectors and full CCTV coverage to provi
  • Kapsch TrafficCom to provide traffic management and staffing for Louisiana DOTD
    July 20, 2017
    The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) has selected Kapsch TrafficCom (Kapsch) to provide management and staffing services for the DOTD Traffic Management Centers (TMCs), each with varying levels of support and staffing appropriate for daily operations. DOTD currently operates five TMCs and provides Motorist Assistance Patrol (MAP) services in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport and Lake Charles areas, as well as MAP services for various construction projects state-wide. The cont
  • It’s official: 20 (or 30) really is plenty
    April 30, 2025
    A study has looked at what 20mph (30 km/h) speed limits mean in terms of road safety – and the answers are encouraging. Alan Dron speaks to transport researcher Aud Tennøy…
  • Safer roads need safe systems approach, better infrastructure
    January 19, 2012
    Some developed countries are far from leading the way when it comes to making road infrastructure safe. In fact, says the Road Safety Foundation's Joanne Hill, they learn a lot from what is happening in emergent nations. A new report from the Road Safety Foundation, 'Saving Lives, Saving Money - the costs and benefits of achieving safe roads', makes some startling assertions about attitudes to road safety. Although concerned predominantly with the UK, there are some universal lessons to be learned, accordin