Increased number of walkers and decline in vehicles on the streets of Frankfurt - Increased Foot Traffic and Decreased Vehicle Count on Frankfurt's Streets
In Frankfurt, the city government aspires to enhance life for pedestrians by implementing a strategic approach that prioritizes their safety. The Mobility Commissioner, Wolfgang Siefert (Greens), disclosed that prospective measures will be informed by local residents' opinions.
To develop the strategy, a representative survey of Frankfurt residents' travel habits from 2023 was conducted. The survey indicated that an increasing number of trips in the city are completed by foot, while car trips have decreased.
The survey results showed that, on average, over a million daily trips in Frankfurt were made on foot, surpassing the number of car trips, which amounted to around 625,000. Such figures, Siefert argued, present a clear mandate for action.
He further outlined plans for improved public transportation accessibility and increased cycling infrastructure, such as expanding cycle highways for smoother commuting. “It’s not about ideology but prudent management of space,” Siefert stated.
Of note, the influx of daily commuters to Frankfurt for work increased to nearly 407,000, representing a 9% rise compared to 2018 figures.
Although the specifics of Frankfurt’s 2023 pedestrian strategy are yet to be detailed, urban areas generally pursue strategies aimed at reducing car usage and promoting alternative transportation via pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, improved public transportation, cycling infrastructure, traffic reduction measures, promoting shared mobility, and smart traffic management.
Enhancing walkability, for instance, can be achieved through investments in street lighting, wider sidewalks, and dedicated pedestrian zones. Additionally, the expansion of bike lanes and bike-share systems promotes cycling as an accessible alternative to driving. Strategies may also involve implementing traffic-calming measures like speed limits and restricting vehicle access to specific zones, as well as leveraging smart technologies to optimize traffic flow.
- The community policy in Frankfurt may focus on prioritizing pedestrian safety, as the survey results showed more daily trips are made on foot compared to car trips.
- To address the increasing number of employment-related trips in the city, the employment policy could consider strategic improvements in public-transit and cycling infrastructure, such as expanding cycle highways and bike-share systems.
- As the city government strives to reduce car usage and promote alternative transportation, the home-and-garden industry could play a role in enhancing walkability through investments in street lighting, wider sidewalks, and dedicated pedestrian zones.
