Meeting of the Municipal Council on 11 June 2018

QUESTION BY HÉLOISE BOCK

In view of recent accidents involving pedestrians in the city, I would like to ask a few questions about possible additional measures for pedestrian safety. These measures could be added to provisions already in place, such as improved lighting at certain pedestrian crossings and signage at schools.

First, I would like to know whether the pedestrian crossings that were removed in some parts of the city when 30 km/hour zones were created could be repainted on the roads, in order to provide adequate safety for the pedestrians. I would also appreciate it if you could tell me whether measures could be taken in streets with 30 km/hour zones to alert and slow down the many drivers who obviously do not comply with the speed limit.

At a meeting with a representative of the City's Service Circulation (Traffic Department) it was explained to the residents of the Gare district that there was theoretically (according to a concept developed at the national level) no need to maintain pedestrian crossings in the 30 km/hour zones given that such 30 km/hour zones were introduced for the purpose of creating a "shared space", and that pedestrians could thus cross the streets outside of the pedestrian crossings. The idea of removing pedestrian crossings – in particular in streets in which no special adaptations were made – is not fundamentally logical in terms of pedestrian safety. For example, how does one explain to a five-year-old child, who does not know the traffic code or understand the concept of 30 km/hour zones, that they can cross a street outside of the designated pedestrian crossings in a 30 km/hour zone and not in another street in a 50 km/hour or more zone? Is there not an adverse effect created by allowing children to develop irresponsible habits? It must be recognised that most drivers, and even professionals, do not seem to know the rules applicable in the 30 km/hour zones and therefore do not let pedestrians cross. The question is thus whether it is possible to repaint all the pedestrian crossings that have been removed, to stop removing pedestrian crossings in the 30 km/hour zones, and to determine the locations where pedestrian crossings could possibly be added in the 30 km/hour zones.

In addition to the above-mentioned measure, I would like to propose two other measures for improving pedestrian safety:

The first measure is to systematically adapt all streets with 30 km/hour zones. This adaptation, which is implemented in other cities, consists in laying out the streets in a "zigzag" pattern so as to avoid straight lines. Such an adaptation could also be accomplished fairly quickly in the existing streets by screwing poles in the ground, alternating on the left and right sides of the street, in the vicinity of the tree boxes. Doing so would create a "zigzag" layout, which would narrow the streets. Another possibility, that would no doubt be more visually appealing, would be to paint angled parking places for cars, alternating on the left and right side of each street, instead of rows of parking places on each side. Another measure that could be added to this "zigzag" layout consists in elevating pedestrian crossings at the entrances of residential streets: pedestrians would be more visible and drivers would be clearly alerted to the need to slow down to allow pedestrians to cross in residential zones, as opposed to main traffic arteries in which vehicular traffic must remain as fluid as possible.

Finally, a campaign to raise awareness among drivers – and among professional drivers in particular – of 30 km/ hour zones, would also be useful. Such a campaign would be a logical complement to the current campaign that focuses only on pedestrians. Signs placed at all city entrances could remind careless drivers of the fact that they are entering an urban space with pedestrians. I hope that the above suggestions are useful and there is favourable interest in the idea of properly implementing real 30 km/hour zones to improve the coexistence of vehicles and pedestrians.

RESPONSE BY PATRICK GOLDSCHMIDT

Alderman Goldschmidt replied that the City generally follows the principles laid down by the National Traffic Committee (Commission de la Circulation de l’Etat) that recommend reducing to a minimum the number of pedestrian crossings within the 30 km/hour zones, and that the City reserves the right to create pedestrian crossings in certain locations.
Even when a crossing exists, pedestrians are advised to look both ways before crossing the road.

It has been observed that drivers seek the most convenient routes to get to their destinations, and it has not been proven that pedestrian crossings increase compliance with speed limits. The Service Circulation conducts regular surveys to count the number of cars in transit and their speed, and this department could be asked to conduct counts in certain problem streets with a view to installing traffic signs if necessary.
In cooperation with the local interest groups (syndicats d’intérêts locaux) of the districts, an analysis could determine the best locations for pedestrian crossings.

At the entrances to 30 km/hour zones, road width is limited to 5.5 meters, and in the districts where the streets are narrow, such as the Gare district, additional infrastructure measures have not been envisioned.
With regard to elevated pedestrian crossings, local residents often complain of the noise caused by each passing vehicle. To put in place "zigzag" lanes, roads must be wide enough to allow such lanes. In addition, many cars park in these streets, which makes implementation of zigzag lanes all the more problematic.

The City takes part in a number of awareness campaigns conducted by Sécurité Routière (roadway safety association), such as the "Réfléchissez-gitt sichtbar" campaign in 2017, and the City departments conduct their own campaigns, such as "Share the city", during Mobility Week.   Each year, a campaign is also conducted to encourage safe driving in residential districts.

QUESTION BY FRANÇOIS BENOY

In the statements made by members of the College of Aldermen at the general meeting of the Luxembourg City Business Association (Union commerciale de la Ville de Luxembourg – UCVL) on 28 March 2018, the citizen participation process concerning the planning of public spaces, in particular regarding the Place de Paris, was announced.

According to the report of the Commission du développement urbain (Urban Development Committee) of 23 February 2018, work to upgrade the utility networks and the tram system, and to redevelop the urban space in the Avenue de la Liberté will begin this year. When, where and how will citizens be allowed to participate in the planning for the Place de Paris? What is the aim of this participation?

Bearing in mind that many public urban spaces in our city still need to be improved, what other forms of citizen participation are planned
for the redevelopment projects in the various districts, and in what time frames?

RESPONSE BY LYDIE POLFER

The Mayor replied that a well-attended meeting took place on 29 May 2018 regarding the Place de Paris. The local residents were informed of the City's current plans and expressed their opinions. Based on the ideas and suggestions put forth, a proposal will be drawn up and forwarded to Luxtram, the company that will carry out the works for the installation of the tram system.
The local residents want the square to remain a convivial urban space that hosts such events as the kermesse.

This form of dialogue between the City and residents is being carried out systematically: regarding the bridge and adjoining square to be renovated in the Grund; regarding the Spidolsgart in Pulvermühl; regarding Place Thorn in Merl; regarding the centre of Hamm, where planning is underway to transform the Ernst farm into a cultural and residential centre, redevelop the area surrounding the church, and reduce traffic created by St George's School; and regarding the Place and Rue de Strasbourg as part of traffic reduction measures.
At these meetings, local residents can share their suggestions, which the College of Aldermen will try to take into consideration. The council members are also systematically informed of these meetings.

QUESTION BY MAURICE BAUER

I have just learned through RTL that the pedestrian and bicycle passageway under Pont Adolphe will be closed for six weeks starting Monday, 4 June. In view of the considerable success and high daily use of the passageway by cyclists and pedestrians (as well as by tourists seeking the breath-taking views), I would like to ask you the following questions:

• What are the reasons for having installed temporary paving, in the knowledge that installing the final paving would involve closing the passageway for several weeks, less than one year after the inauguration, and just a short time before the municipal elections in September 2017?
   
• Who decided that the passageway should be closed in June; a particularly poorly chosen time, since June is probably the month when the path is used the most?
   
• Given the large number of pedestrians who use the passageway, which has pedestrian-dedicated spaces that are much too small, would it not be more reasonable to introduce a "shared space" system allowing for mixed pedestrian-cyclist traffic in the passageway, so that it could be used by both user groups by obliging each group to take the other into consideration? If this is not possible, could another solution that provides adequate space for pedestrians be implemented?

RESPONSE BY PATRICK GOLDSCHMIDT

Alderman Goldschmidt replied that the passageway was opened to the public during Mobility Week 2017, bearing in mind that the final paving would be installed at a later time. The passageway is currently expected to be closed for six weeks, not only for the installation of the final paving but also for other finishing work. It is possible however that, if all goes well, the work could be completed within four weeks. The work cannot be carried out in November, since the work requires a temperature of at least 6° C, which is not guaranteed at this time of year. The National Roads Administration (Administration des Ponts et Chaussées), which organises this work, must do so in light of its own schedule. The City is in charge of the regulatory aspect, which was undertaken in a timely manner.
The bridge itself will remain open to bicycle traffic during the work.  

From the beginning, the City has recommended mixed-use of the passageway. The passageway is 4 meters wide, with a width of 3 meters reserved for bicycles. This leaves 50 cm for pedestrians on each side, which is impossible to comply with in practice. This City will address this issue again and propose this mixed-use system once the final paving has been laid, notwithstanding the fact that the ministry favours bicycles for the use of the passageway. The City is optimistic that the passageway will ultimately meet the needs of both cyclists and pedestrians, and after four weeks of work.