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City Reports Successful Test Phase on Luegallee with Improved Safety, Noise Levels, and Living Quality
Oberkassel, [Date]— Applying a 30 km/h speed limit and creating separate bike lanes on Luegallee has resulted in significant improvements in safety, noise levels, and living quality, affirming the city's expectations, reports state.
Environmental Commissioner Jochen Kral commends the changes, stating, "The test phase on Luegallee has proven to be successful." In a survey comparing the subjective sense of safety among road users, a substantial increase was noticed—from 35% feeling safe initially to 85% reporting a sense of safety in the latest survey. Also, the police reported a decrease in the number of accidents in the area compared to the corresponding period last year.
Katharina Metzker, head of the Office for Traffic Management, adds, "The changes have also yielded clear improvements in living quality." Prior to the trial phase, Luegallee was one of the noisiest streets in Oberkassel, with around 64% of participants perceiving the noise level as high or very high. In consecutive surveys, this figure dropped to 14%. The city administration gathered around 6,500 responses from the public.
The safety improvements were attributed to a decrease in traffic accidents, reduced vehicle speeds, and increased pedestrian safety, as well as higher visibility and predictability thanks to clear road markings and signage.
Quieter traffic flow is another consequence of the new speed limit, which reduce engine noise and tire-road friction sounds, leading to a notable decline in overall street noise. Reduced aggressive driving, a common source of noise pollution, was also observed due to the traffic calming measures. The changes contributed to less stress and a better well-being for residents.
In addition to the noise-reducing benefits, the enhanced living quality on Luegallee can be attributed to an improvement in air quality, a more pleasant public space, increased property values, and support for sustainable mobility.
The city administration will continue to monitor the situation on Luegallee and assess further potential improvements in the area.
Science has shown that the changes made to Luegallee, such as the 30 km/h speed limit and separate bike lanes, have contributed to improved health-and-wellness by reducing noise levels and promoting fitness-and-exercise through increased cycling. Furthermore, these changes have had a positive impact on the environment, with reductions in air pollution and support for sustainable mobility, which is a key aspect of environmental-science.
