StVO Amendment - Traffic Calming in Vienna's City Center on the Way?

Traffic Councillor Ulli Sima (SPÖ) noted in a response that they had waited almost five years for a draft that would enable traffic calming in the Inner City through camera-based access control. Now they want to proceed with the implementation of the measure.

The traffic-calmed inner city is finally within reach, Sima expressed satisfaction. "The former Green Minister (Leonore, note) Gewessler refused such an amendment for years, thereby blocking one of Austria's largest traffic calming projects. More than 20 other cities have also been demanding these legal possibilities for years," Sima stated.

Feasibility Study and Data Protection Report

A feasibility study by the city and the 1st district had already demonstrated the enormous traffic relief in the federal capital alone three years ago, she emphasized. Up to 15,700 entries into the city could be prevented daily with the Vienna model. A quarter fewer cars would park on the surface. The data protection, the councillor assured, was never at risk.

A joint data protection report by the Association of Cities and the then Green-led Climate Ministry had already given the green light for camera-based access control in the summer of 2022, as has been in use in many other European cities for years, Sima explained. This system has also been in practice for many years in Austria with section control and toll stations, she pointed out.

Entry into the inner city will therefore be restricted in the future. Only residents, authorized persons, or people who park their vehicle in a garage will be allowed to drive into the inner city. The monitoring of access limits will be carried out with cameras, with license plates being photographed.

Desire of the 1st District of Vienna

The request originally came from the district itself. Its head, Markus Figl (ÖVP), repeatedly called for quickly creating a legal basis for implementing the plans. The pressure on the city center is very high, he argues. He is convinced that restricting entries would lead to better quality of stay.

After the federal government gave the green light in principle, the next steps are now being planned at the town hall. When the law comes into effect in May of next year, the tendering process is set to start, as was communicated by the Sima office upon APA inquiry. The process is estimated to take about a year.

The implementation of the system will follow the awarding. The necessary construction measures must also be initiated. The project is to be implemented, if possible, within this legislative period, it was said. This ends in 2030.

Pressure Regarding E-Mopeds

Vienna has also exerted pressure regarding e-mopeds. Accordingly, there is relief about the planned ban from bike paths. "It is unacceptable that increasingly faster, fully motorized electric vehicles are on the move here," stated Sima. With an empty weight of up to 80 kilos, they are extremely heavy and a safety risk.

More on Vienna's Urban Development

(APA/Red)

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