How do you create the beast transport system in the world. For people, bikes and cars. How did they do it? In a 1996 city decree referred to as a historic compromise, Zurich decided to cap the number of parking spaces. From then on, when new parking spaces were built anywhere in Zurich, an equivalent number of spaces had to be eliminated elsewhere within the city limits. Many of the new spaces that have been built since then come in the form of underground garages, which allow for more car-free areas, plazas, and shared-space streets. Zurich also has an intricate system of more than 4,500 sensors that monitor the number of cars entering the city. When that number exceeds the level Zurichs streets can comfortably accommodate, all cars are halted on highways and main roads into the city until congestion is relieved. Thus, there is never significant traffic back-up in the city itself. Its tough to top the citys transit options. Zurich has a network of comfortable commuter trains and buses, plus the magnificent gem of the city: its 15-line tram system. Trams run everywhere frequently and are easy to hop on and off. The coordination of the lines is a wonder to behold. And its the preferred way to travel in the city center -- business men in suits traveling to the richest banks in the world ride next to moms and skateboarders. Thats only the beginning of some of the great things going on in Zurich. Bike mode share is now 6 percent and climbing. People flock to the amazing parks and rivers that have been cleaned up. Car-free and car-lite streets are filled with restaurants and people at all times of day. If you can never get to Zurich yourself, I hope youll be able to experience a bit of what its like via this Streetfilm. streetfilms.org/zurich-a-world-class-transit-metropolis/
Posted on: Wed, 15 Oct 2014 22:17:15 +0000