Meeting of the Municipal Council of 26 May 2023

QUESTION POSED BY GUY FOETZ

The guide on traffic calming within urban areas, issued by the National Traffic Committee (Commission de la circulation de l'État), which the City of Luxembourg sits on, contains the following recommendation for municipalities: "It is recommended that municipalities implement a Séchere Schoulwee concept as part of the creation of a 30 km/h zone in order to make dangerous spots on routes to schools safe".

On 11 May 2023, the alderman in charge of mobility presented to the press a review of urban mobility in Luxembourg City and an overview of projects for the future, especially with regard to measures that prioritise pedestrians and traffic calming through the introduction of 30 km/h zones.

Schoolchildren are among the most vulnerable road users. Busy vehicular traffic presents risks in front of many schools in Luxembourg City. For example, it was reported to me that the school committee and the parent representatives of the Belair-Kayser school (Aloyse Kayser) had informed the College of Aldermen of the dangerous traffic in front of the Belair-Kayser school at the beginning and end of the school day.

How does the College of Aldermen plan to respond to the request to improve safety at the intersection of Rue Aloyse Kayser and Rue des Arquebusiers opposite the school by installing one or several pedestrian crossings, which may be raised to make it easier for pedestrians to be seen?

The National Traffic Committee's guide on traffic calming in urban areas expressly stipulates that pedestrian crossings should be created in 30 km/h zones on routes to schools or school bus stops. As I recall, the City's departments told the Safety Officer at the Belair-Kayser school that a 30 km/h zone would not require the creation of pedestrian crossings. Can the College of Aldermen confirm or refute that this is the City's policy when it comes to creating 30 km/h zones near schools?

This same National Traffic Committee guide specifies that there must always be a pedestrian crossing with a red background on entering a 30 km/h zone from a national road where the speed limit is 50 km/h or higher. Doesn't the College of Aldermen think that this rule should also apply on entering 30 km/h zones from municipal roads – as is the case for Rue d'Ostende – in order to ensure the safety of our most vulnerable road users?

Pending the creation of one or more pedestrian crossings, does the College of Aldermen believe it is crucial to station a municipal worker in front of the Belair-Kayser school at the intersection of Rue Aloyse Kayser and Rue des Arquebusiers to help children cross, as the school committee and parent representatives have requested?

RESPONSE PROVIDED BY ALDERMAN PATRICK GOLDSCHMIDT

We must bear in mind that the Aloyse Kayser school is located in a 30 km/h zone without drive-through traffic, near a place where the road ends in a dead end. In accordance with the government's recommendations, the City does not create pedestrian crossings in 30 km/h zones. There are exceptions to this rule, but only on streets with a lot of traffic, and in places where it is hard to determine the best route for children. The moderate traffic zone in the vicinity of the Aloyse Kayser school has the advantage that the children can cross the street anywhere. If we created a pedestrian crossing, the children would not be able to cross the street less than 30 metres away from it.

During an on-site meeting on 30 November 2022 with the school monitoring committee – which is made up of representatives of the Traffic Police, the Police Road Safety Awareness Department and the City of Luxembourg's Service Enseignement (Education Department), Service Circulation (Traffic Department) and Service Parking (Parking Department) – it was noted that the only dangerous situations in the vicinity of the Aloyse Kayser school are caused by the parents who stop in places where they are not supposed to.

The configuration of the site would allow either creating a pedestrian crossing at the end of the dead end – which would eliminate several parking spaces without improving safety – or creating a pedestrian crossing in a location that is contrary to the government's recommendations.

Councillor Foetz proposed creating a pedestrian crossing with a red background, recalling that the National Traffic Committee guide specifies that there must always be a pedestrian crossing with a red background on entering a 30 km/h zone from a national road where the speed limit is 50 km/h or higher. However, because Rue d'Ostende is not a national road, Councillor Foetz answered his own question.

Nevertheless, I suggest that the relevant City departments return to the site to revive discussions with the school committee and parent representatives to see if it would be possible to make improvements in the interest of the children's safety. This could include, if required, the elimination of a parking space or two.

Regarding stationing a municipal worker at the site to help children cross the street, in accordance with discussions held with the school stakeholders, there is a worker stationed on Route d'Arlon, the four-lane main entry and exit artery of the city, which sees significant traffic.

We will examine the possibility of organising a Pedibus to encourage parents not to drive their children to school. We will present our findings to the parents to see if additional improvements can be made.

QUESTION POSED BY CHRISTA BRÖMMEL

In 2022, the City of Luxembourg won the Access City Award for its accomplishments in access for all.

I have a two-pronged question about the modification of bus stops and about traffic islands. More specifically, I want to ask about problematic situations in two places in Kirchberg, which probably falls under the purview of the Fonds Kirchberg.

How many bus stops in the city have already been elevated in compliance with the "Kasseler Bord" standard? What criteria guided decisions on whether to elevate a bus stop platform?

How many pedestrian crossings still need to be upgraded so that people in wheelchairs can cross the street without running into kerbs and traffic islands that have not been lowered?

Why is the "Rehanzenter" stop on Rue André Vésale still not equipped with an elevated platform?

Does the College of Aldermen plan to approach the Fonds Kirchberg to upgrade the bus stops on Rue André Vésale and the pedestrian crossing at the exit of the LuxExpo north car park?

Is there a plan to make this upgrade at all bus stops and pedestrian crossings in the city? When would that be completed?

RESPONSE PROVIDED BY ALDERMAN PATRICK GOLDSCHMIDT

I can assure Councillor Brömmel that our departments do have a plan.

I myself often use public transport, and I make a point of talking to users with reduced mobility, who tell me about the problems they encounter.

We are currently taking inventory of the bus stops' technical features (height of the kerb, modifications for people with reduced mobility, etc.).

There are approximately 1,000 bus stops in Luxembourg City. Wherever possible, "Kasseler Bord" configurations are implemented as needed as development work is carried out. If needed, the bus stop in question is moved so that the desired modifications can be made.

Practically all bus lines have stops at locations that are challenging for people with reduced mobility or with pushchairs – for example, because they are near garage exits. This is why all municipal buses have a retractable ramp, and all of our drivers are trained to be attentive to the needs of people with reduced mobility and to help them get off the bus if needed.

The Access City Award recognises all of the work accomplished by the municipal departments over the past years. We are aware that we cannot rest on our laurels and that we must continue our efforts when it comes to access for all.

If users with reduced mobility report any problems to the Service Autobus (Bus Department) or Service Intégration et Besoins spécifiques (Integration and Special Needs Department), the City will make sure to find a solution as soon as possible.

The stop near the Rehazenter existed before the Rehazenter was built. The plan was to modify the bus stops as part of the construction of housing in this area. However, we agree with you that this bus stop needs to be upgraded as soon as possible, and the City will contact the FUAK about this.

Regarding the traffic islands that have not been lowered in the middle of pedestrian crossings, the relevant municipal department will be notified about the problems that people with reduced mobility are encountering, and will ensure that this situation is remedied.

QUESTION POSED BY TOM KRIEPS

My question is about the parking ticket machines in Luxembourg City. The parking ticket that I attached to my written question shows the poor printing quality of some machines. Moreover, many machines do not allow people to pay for tickets by mobile phone or credit card. Does the City anticipate replacing the obsolete machines? The city of Dudelange, for example, has introduced a mobile-phone payment system, although it did not adequately publicise it, especially to people who do not live in Dudelange. While I am discussing this topic, I do want to applaud the fact that there are so many parking meters in Luxembourg City.

RESPONSE PROVIDED BY ALDERMAN PATRICK GOLDSCHMIDT

There are currently 1,394 parking meters in Luxembourg City. Of those, 483 are in the city centre and are fitted with credit card readers. The other 800-plus machines had the Mini-Cash system – which was done away with – but because so much money had been spent on the machines, the City wanted to keep them. The Call-to-Park system was introduced in some places but not everywhere.

Regarding the illegible parking ticket that you sent us with your question, what I can tell you is that our workers inspect the parking meters once a week to check whether the tickets are printed properly. In this specific case, a part was broken, and it has since been repaired.

To provide a modern solution that implements the technology available in 2023, the City will be introducing the "Indigo Neo" system on 1 June 2023. All of the parking zones in Luxembourg City have been mapped. With this system, all users – both residents and non-residents – will be able to download an app that they can use to pay for parking with their mobile phones. Thanks to the geolocation system, users who have entered their license plate number will see exactly where their car is located, and they can decide whether to pay the ticket. It goes without saying that we will need to publicise the existence of this system, not only when it is launched but also on an ongoing basis so that new residents and tourists are also aware of it. The system will be more convenient for users, and it has the advantage of allowing users to pay exactly for the actual parking time. Unlike the Call-to-Park system, users will not be required to pay a 50-cent communication fee at the beginning and end of the parking period. At first, this system will cover on-street parking spaces and the Neipperg car park. If it is compatible, it will also be rolled out to the other car parks.