Lithuanian cities have decided to order cars from old cities: changes will come soon

Having prepared Sustainable Mobility Plans, the metropolitan municipalities aim to reduce car traffic in old centers and cities. For some time now, attempts have been made to divert some of the motorized traffic from the city’s central streets by increasing parking prices or changing road markings and directions. Unfortunately, it’s still not uncommon to see congested cars in city centers, and you won’t always find a parking space on weekends, even if you have to pay a lot for it.

Will we have a day when the country’s former metropolitan cities are oases of sustainable movement, where residents choose bicycles, scooters, electric cars, or travel on foot instead of fuel-powered cars?

Cities decide for themselves

Jonas Damidavičius, Chief Specialist of the Road and Air Transport Policy Group of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, warns that the decision on the restriction of traffic and on the organization of the rest of the traffic in the city is made by the municipalities themselves.

“Currently there are no European or national requirements to restrict traffic in the city center or the old town, but in view of the European Union’s objectives of significantly reducing pollution and stopping climate change, the European Commission has made recommendations on how to properly restrict traffic in certain urban areas. ” part, “he said.

The interlocutor emphasized that in preparing the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans, the three largest cities in Lithuania – Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipeda – envisaged measures to reduce the number of vehicles in the old cities.

For example, in Kaunas and Klaipėda it is planned to establish low pollution areas, which can only be accessed by non-polluting transport, and in Vilnius it is planned to adopt traffic organization principles that eliminate the possibility of crossing the old town area to go faster.

“So I think that in the coming years these cities will become examples for other Lithuanian cities to take bolder measures to reduce the use of cars in the city center,” the interlocutor expected.

From fear of change to myths

Speaking about the main disruptions in the prohibition of motor vehicle traffic in city centers, J. Damidavičius first mentioned the public dissatisfaction that arises during the changes.

“Anyone who has lined up their travel route through the old town will face changes to choose other routes, probably longer ones. There may also be riots for local residents, who must leave their cars in parking lots near the old town, but this depends on the measures chosen and their impact, “said a representative from the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

The dissatisfaction of residents with car insurance in the old towns of the city, according to the specialist, may also increase due to certain myths. For example, it is believed that restricting traffic in the heart of the city can reduce the appeal and revenue of retail outlets.

“However, when driving a car, you would definitely think less about stopping shopping spontaneously than if you did it on foot or by bicycle, carefully observing the shop windows,” added the interlocutor. This is also demonstrated by the practice of European cities: the implementation of traffic restrictions has made these areas more attractive to the population and, at the same time, attracted new companies and opportunities.

Restricting traffic in old urban cities would also have a positive effect on the ecological situation. Of course, not in the general context of the city, but locally.

“Local residents and other residents would feel significant changes, who often visit the central parts of the city for pleasure or when necessary,” said J. Damidavičius.

When asked what steps metropolitan areas could take to move toward auto insurance in the city’s ancient towns, a spokesman for the transport ministry first emphasized the need to always think in the general context. Traffic cannot be restricted in the central part of the city if it is not possible to avoid this area on other routes. Therefore, the measures must be implemented in a complex way, to create restrictions, but at the same time alternative solutions.

“It is also recommended that sensitive solutions be tested for the public through pilot projects, such as introducing traffic restrictions only on weekends, so that the public is gradually getting used to the changes that are taking place,” he explained.

Changes await in the old town

Not only the Ministry of Transport and Communications, but also the metropolitan municipalities are thinking about the fact that the habits of the population to move in the city should change for the sake of all well-being and nature.

The Vilnius city municipality, after having approved the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan, has planned measures that will affect the way in which the citizens and guests of the city travel in the heart of the capital, the old town.

According to the municipal Communication Department, it will be decided in the near future when to introduce the destruction of traffic in Vilnius in the old town, starting next year or this summer. It was originally thought that it would do so starting next year, but quarantine is changing the situation.

According to the municipal Communication Department, it will be decided in the near future when to introduce the destruction of traffic in Vilnius in the old town, starting next year or this summer. It was originally thought that it would do so starting next year, but quarantine is changing the situation.

The introduction of a circular entrance into the old town is also being considered among the measures. This would allow not only a significant reduction in pollution within the city’s historical limits, but also the flow, vibration, and noise itself. The security situation would also improve. Vilnius city municipality estimates that pollution in the old town should be reduced 3-4 times.

This plan consists of several stages, the first of which is to eliminate traffic. In the next phase, certain smart vehicles would be installed within the old town, allowing the scanning of numbers and the introduction of a fee according to a certain standard.

This is not expected to be a severe restriction on access to the old city, but drivers will be charged if they drive a polluting car.

Limits on the entry of polluting cars

Martynas Matusevičius, head of the Department of Transport and Traffic Organization of the Municipality of the city of Kaunas, said that six years ago the city decided to reduce traffic flows in the surroundings of the Old Town and the New Town, to reduce the parameters technicians from too many large streets, to adapt the banks of the rivers to the needs of citizens. And the Sustainable Mobility Plan approved last year foresees the installation of low-emission areas in the old town, where the movement of polluting cars (which run on fossil fuels) would be restricted.

“The size of this area and the control procedure have not yet been finally approved, but it will also depend on other infrastructure decisions in Kaunas,” he said.

It is estimated that, on average, around 10 thousand people enter the city center of Kaunas every day. cars.

According to him, the two main regulatory measures that try to reduce pollution in the heart of the city are to reduce parking spaces and increase parking fees. Parking fees in Kaunas are introduced when the occupancy of existing parking lots in certain locations reaches 90-95%. All parking spaces. Tolls are being increased not only to reduce vehicle traffic, but also to reduce vehicle traffic on the streets in search of parking. It also increases pollution and the probability of accidents.

Specialists constantly monitor and analyze automobile flows in the central part of the city of Kaunas and provide information and suggestions for flow regulation, “said M. Matusevičius.

In the long run, it is planned to install convenient parking lots near the central part of the city and encourage residents to use public transportation and non-motorized transportation. To achieve this latter goal, public transportation lanes, pedestrian and bicycle trails are being installed, public transportation is being improved, and speed is being increased on its routes. In addition, the electric car charging network will be further expanded and cleaner public vehicles will be purchased.

M. Matusevičius is convinced that restricting polluting vehicles in the city center would really contribute to a healthier environment for the population. According to the World Health Organization, reduce air pollution by 50 percent. The age of the population would increase between 3 and 5 years, and the incidence of cancer and respiratory diseases would decrease between 20 and 30%, and diseases of the circulatory system by 10%.

Decisions were suspended due to quarantine

Klaipeda would also like to free the old town from the flow of polluting cars. According to Rimantas Mockus, Head of the Transport Department of the Municipality of Klaipėda City, the implementation of the Sustainable Mobility Plan aims to create opportunities for residents to move in a sustainable way, in public transport, non-motorized vehicles, on foot.

Before the announcement of the quarantine, a working group formed by instructions from the Director of the Municipal Administration of the City of Klaipėda, which focused on the approved Sustainable Mobility Plan, which establishes zero zones in the old town, proposed an increase in local toll rates and zone development. These proposals have been postponed for the time being due to the end of the announced quarantine, “said the interlocutor. Before this problem is promised to return when the quarantine ends. The increase in the parking fee, according to the specialist, is one of the More effective measures to reduce automobile pollution in the city.

Currently, there are several parking lots in Klaipeda’s old town, where parking costs 30 cents an hour. The increased parking fee is expected to further reduce car traffic flows to the historic part of the city and make the streets of the old town even more attractive to pedestrians and cyclists.

As already mentioned, more people are expected to switch to public transportation as well. To this end, the city is constantly investing in modern and green urban public transport. And the latest news: two electric buses started operating in Klaipeda. A plan for the renewal of the public transport fleet is currently being prepared, which should lead to 65% of public transport vehicles running on alternative fuels.

Currently, 20 Lithuanian municipalities are preparing sustainable urban mobility plans. Almost all of these plans were prepared using investments from European Union funds, a total of 1.1 million. euros