New roads: the Federal Council Advisor to make controversial recommendation

On the construction of new roads, if possible, refrain: It is a recommendation with explosive political force, the Council for space power. This is the 15-member panel of experts that advises the Federal Council and the administration in questions about spatial developments. The proposal is in the report "Megatrends and spatial development in Switzerland" by the Council this Morning has published. "We want to trigger a debate," says President Lukas Bühlmann, Director of the Swiss Association for spatial planning.

The national Council had decided in the spring session, a multi-billion dollar road-building package. With the national road and agglomeration funds (NAF), the voting public, two years ago, has been approved, the money available for it. It should not be, however, that the Parliament spent this money easy, so is Bühlmann. There is a need for intelligent solutions to master the challenges of the future, for example, by the existing roads would be better utilized.

The expert panel proposes, therefore, to consider a repeal of the existing night drive ban for low-noise trucks and, in return, a load-carriage ban in the peak hours. The report calls for more discharge options: a Mobility Pricing that is more expensive, and the traffic at peak times and on busy routes, and cheaper off-peak hours and on secondary routes. Or a reduction of the maximum speed, which could increase the flow of traffic.

For the SVP, "a world of strangers"

No new roads more? "This is an idea of the world of strangers," says SVP national councillor Walter Wobmann. The traffic on Swiss roads waxes, not least because in Switzerland per year 50’000 and more people would immigrate. "We can cope with this growth on the road if we increase capacity." An extension of the road did not mean, conversely, that the available space should be better used. Therefore, Wobmann welcomes the Council's proposed cancellation of the night driving ban for trucks. A last-minute ban on cars in the peak hours, he rejects, however, because the transport industry is dependent, to can in the daytime, if possible, are able to drive freely.

consequently, the national Council Michael Swiss (Green) considers the recommendation of the Council, to dispense with further road improvements. He sees this as a necessary measure for a better spatial planning, for a stop the urban sprawl and for conserving resources in the mobility. "The planned large expansion projects must be questioned."

New Federal office to create?

The experts to make further recommendations. In the report they outline the possible consequences of digitalization, such as the Autonomous Driving: mobility will continue to grow and so the risk of increased urban sprawl, warn the experts. The Federal government should therefore implement the revised spatial planning act consistently and with a view to the next Reform – the Build outside of the construction zone to better control.

he should Also develop a "multi-modal mobility management", the division also includes chains of the multi-modal logistics. He shall work with the cantons and the large transport companies, the experts. So the planning comes from a Hand, to Federal office for transport (BAV) and for roads (Astra) close to a Federal office for mobility. (Editorial Tamedia)

Created: 17.05.2019, 15:49 PM