Assessment of Gent’s traffic circulation

plan
[ 17026 ]

Assessment of Gent’s traffic circulation

plan
Short description:
A year after the implementation of the traffic circulation plan in Gent,
Transport & Mobility Leuven conducted an extensive analysis of its effects.
In this study, we address why certain effects occurred and examine the
functioning of the new circulation with the specific role of the closed streets
and the extension of the restricted traffic area.

Within the scope of this project, we validated and interpreted a large

number of data sources. To this end, our project team applied its vast
expertise related to both qualitative as well as quantitative analysis. Our researchers conducted a thorough
data-analysis of, amongst others, real-time measurement of speed and traffic intensity. Next to that, we also
studied modal choices and movement patterns . The results of this study are published in a publically
accessible report, that TML drew up together with the city of Gent.

At the beginning of 2019, we extended our study with a second analysis. Besides data sources similar to
the first analysis, we added additional, more in-depth observations. These data sources include a more
extensive licence plate number research to get a better picture of the routes of the car traffic, the modal
choices of bigger companies as derived from the three yearly Federal diagnostics, an extensive
transportation behaviour study, and the evolution of the hotel and catering sector. This led to a better
insight in the movement patterns and the travel behaviour and allowed us to verify whether the previously
defined trends could be either confirmed or be corrected.

Conclusions:
The first analysis of the circulation plan clearly points out that the plan reached its goals. We see a clear
shift towards the more sustainable modes of transport; a differentiated improvement of the city’s
accessibility, and an improvement of the traffic livability. At the same time, we identified some areas for
improvement that need thorough follow-up and, where necessary, have to be adjusted. Next to that, it is
necessary to continue to inform the inhabitants of Gent and the Gent commuters on the possibilities of the
circulation plan by means of appropriate signalisation and interactive communication. Furthermore, the city
needs to continue to optimise the possibilities of the other modes of transport to be used as an alternative
for the car.

The second part of the study confirm the results of the first part of the study. The general conclusion is that
the circulation plan reached its goals.

More info:
More info in the attached reports, or on the website of the city of Gent.

Periode: Van 2017 tot 2020

Opdrachtgever: Mobility company Gent City

Contact: dirk.engels@tmleuven.be +32 16 31 77 31

Downloads

 Assessment report traffic circulation plan Gent - Part II (in Dutch)

 Assessment report traffic circulation plan Gent - Part I (in Dutch)
 Article NM-magazine (in Dutch)
Links

 Website of the city of Gent (in Dutch)

Webpagina: https://www.tmleuven.be/en/project/circulatieplangent