One-way street: less traffic and more safety in the city center!

One-way street: less traffic and more safety in the city center!

The traffic turnaround in Cologne is gaining momentum! From now on, the western Bahnhofstrasse and the northern part of Sevelter Strasse are open as a one-way street in the east direction. This decision was implemented more quickly than originally planned, as the measure was actually planned for the fall. Mayor Neidhard Varnhorn highlights the numerous advantages of the one-way street regulation: less through traffic, more safety for pedestrians and a significantly improved quality of life on the affected streets. This reported Northern News.

The new signage has already been installed and no structural work was necessary. A computer-controlled traffic simulation has shown that through traffic on Bahnhofstrasse will decrease noticeably. This is particularly important because traffic safety is increased - pedestrian crossings become clearer and therefore safer. The situation at the “Pingel Anton” roundabout is also improving, as vehicles from the “Am Stadtpark” street no longer have the opportunity to turn onto Bahnhofstraße.

What does the regulation mean for residents?

Residents have to prepare for some changes: Their garbage cans must now be placed on the right side of the street in the direction of travel (on the city center/post office side). Individual notifications of these changes will be delivered to residents. This information is also based on information provided by Northern News.

The idea of ​​a one-way street is not new and was already discussed in Cologne in 1998. As part of a larger transport policy that aims to improve traffic flow and reduce through traffic, the one-way street is an important step. One-way streets, where vehicles are only allowed to travel in one direction, can be found in many cities and provide an efficient solution for narrow streets. Setting them up helps reduce the risk of collision and increase driving speed, as well Wikipedia explained.

What should drivers and cyclists pay attention to?

It is important for drivers to keep an eye on traffic signs. One-way streets are clearly marked by traffic sign 220, while the end of the one-way street is indicated by sign 267. On these one-way streets, vehicles are only allowed to drive in the designated directions. Reversing is not permitted except when parking. There are also important regulations for cyclists: As a rule, they are only allowed to drive in the specified direction, but under certain conditions (§5 StVO) they can also travel against the direction of travel if there is a corresponding additional sign ADAC.

The introduction of the one-way system is welcomed by many, but there are also critics who fear over-regulation. The exact effects of this measure will become apparent in the coming weeks. The city administration hopes that this regulation will significantly improve the local traffic situation and improve the quality of life for residents.