Information - Traffic test Äulestrasse Vaduz

As part of an operational and design concept, a mobility corridor was defined for Äulestrasse in Vaduz. The corridor should primarily serve to handle traffic and allow other uses such as recreation, commercial use, etc. In the course of the development process, several design options were presented in order to meet the diverse requirements of the street space.
The best of the tested variants, "two-dimensional crossing", is now to be tested in a multi-phase traffic trial. This proposes a mobility space with two lanes and a central multi-purpose lane between the Adler traffic circle and the Linden traffic circle. The central divider serves as a crossing aid for pedestrians and enables turning movements. Elements in the central divider can be used to avoid continuous traffic in the longitudinal direction.
The question of whether such innovative traffic solutions work despite the high volume of traffic is to be tested by means of a traffic trial in Äulestrasse. Any necessary accompanying measures could be derived from this. Various test phases will be arranged for the traffic trial. In addition to the existing situation (phase 0), two phases will be tested and the effects on traffic will be assessed. This is intended to simulate the "two-way crossing" design as elaborated in the Äulestrasse Vaduz operating and design concept. The following test phases will be examined as part of the traffic trial:

Phase 0:

Phase 0 represents the existing Äulestrasse and serves as a reference and comparison for the other test phases.

Phase 1:

In the first phase, the bus lane from the Linden traffic circle to the post office will be dispensed with. A multi-purpose lane with markings will be marked in this area as a test arrangement. In addition, a multi-purpose lane will be simulated between the Postgass and the Adler traffic circle. The traffic lights will not be operated. Pedestrians have the option of crossing the road at the existing pedestrian crossings or via the multi-purpose lane. To make crossing easier and to increase safety, selective obstacles and elements will be installed in the multi-purpose lane so that it is not accessible to motorized traffic in all areas. Individual turning relationships will not be possible in phase 1. The speed limit will remain at 50 km/h.

Phase 2:

In the second phase, the existing bus lane from the Linden traffic circle to the post office building is also dispensed with. The multi-purpose lane will be simulated over almost the entire section between Lindenkreisel and Adlerkreisel. The traffic lights and pedestrian crossings will be removed. Turning left from the main road and turning left from the access roads will be made impossible for the most part by elements in the multi-purpose lane. The speed limit will remain at 50 km/h.

During the traffic trials, public transport will serve the Post and Städtle stops as usual. Bicycle traffic will be routed together with private motorized traffic and public transport in mixed traffic. The sidewalks on both sides of Äulestrasse will continue to be available for pedestrians.
The traffic detour will be marked by means of signalization boards as well as mobile barriers, traffic cones and temporary road markings.
The trials will take place over a period of around two weeks, taking into account events in Vaduz. The first phase will start on 15.05.2023 and end on 27.05.2023. After the conversion, the trial for phase 2 will take place from 01.06.2023 to 15.06.2023.
Road users will be informed in advance about the first phase of the traffic trial from April 21, 2023 by means of information boards in Äulestrasse. In addition, the individual phases of the traffic trial will be published in the newspaper to inform the public.
Monitoring will be carried out as part of the trial. Comprehensive surveys on traffic flow, traffic volume and speed will be carried out during the trial in order to be able to make statements about the changes. The results of the monitoring will be compared with the current traffic regime (phase 0 = zero measurement) and evaluated accordingly.