The way forward for traffic in the Zurich economic area

Bild: ManImMac

20.05.08 - Two fundamental strategies are analysed, if they improve transport quality in the Canton of Zurich.

Increased traffic jams can be expected

The city and economic area of Zurich is very attractive as a place to live and work; this brings with it a large volume of traffic. At peak hours this leads to traffic jams in both motorised individual transport and public transport. Despite the measures currently in place (western bypass and N4 at Knonaueramt, traffic management, improvements to public transport), the forecast increase in population, jobs and affluence, and changes to the settlement structure will nevertheless cause an increase in traffic jams by the forecast year of 2025.

Two fundamental strategies to improve transport quality

In principle, transport quality currently affected by jams can be improved in two ways: either the price of journeys is increased, thereby reducing demand, or the capacity of the transport systems is increased, that is, the infrastructure expanded. From an economic point of view, the emphasis among pricing instruments is on road pricing. In cities, this involves payments for a journey into or out of a specified zone. The work in question examines the extent to which road pricing and infrastructure measures are effective strategies for reducing traffic jams for the two major cities of the canton of Zurich, that is Zurich and Winterthur.

Charging for journeys into cities is currently feasibly possible. The investigation was based on a charge of CHF 3.00 per journey during the morning and evening rush hours. The instrument would only be available in the medium term due to the necessary legal modifications at federal constitution level. Various road pricing options will be compared with the implementation of strategic infrastructure projects in the canton of Zurich (city tunnel and Glattal motorway).

Road pricing for the city of Zurich and infrastructure expansion are both beneficial from a politico-economic point of view

From a politico-economic point of view both the road pricing and infrastructure expansion scenarios are beneficial for the city of Zurich by the forecast horizon of 2025.

Road pricing for the city of Zurich and the infrastructure expansion under consideration here have therefore proved to be strategies that can be implemented independently of one another, but which can be adjusted to take account of one another. It should be examined whether both scenarios could be implemented together: the city tunnel and Glattal motorway for selective improvement at certain locations to the accessibility of the city of Zurich, the upgrading of individual areas, and the improvement of road-based public transport; and road pricing to reduce traffic jams and ensure comprehensive accessibility improvements.