European Green Capital Award Frankfurt am Main s application Environmental indicator 02 Local transport Frankfurt am Main

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1 European Green Capital Award Frankfurt am Main s application Environmental indicator 02 Local transport Frankfurt am Main Question 1 (max words) Present details of the original and/or most recent Action Plan, including any relevant disadvantages or constraints resulting from historical and/or geographical factors which may have influenced this indicator area negatively including: Frankfurt am Main, the hub of the Frankfurt/Rhine-Main metropolitan region, is characterised by population and economic growth. Some 688,000 people live in a relatively small area of just 248 km² and 620,000 people work in the city. In the past decade the resident population rose by around 40,000, while Frankfurt s working population has expanded by over 30,000. On workdays 325,000 people commute into the city and 68,000 people commute outwards. Together with the city s inhabitants and large numbers of visitors (shoppers, visitors to trade fairs and events, tourists), they make around 3.5 million journeys in the urban area every day. The economic metropolis of Frankfurt began as a mediaeval merchant city. It has few broad, elegant streets typical of former royal seats. Competition between traffic areas and those serving other functions (e.g. housing, recreation) is stiff. Although the various forms of public transport in the Rhine-Main area are extremely well developed, daily commuters to the city still tend to use their cars. Frankfurt residents, however, prefer to travel by bus, train or bike or to walk. They use buses and trains for 24% of all journeys in the city area and complete 35% of their journeys on foot. Bicycle use has more than doubled to 15% in the past ten years. The city authorities are taking full advantage of all options available to them to make mobility more sustainable and more city-friendly despite growing traffic and increasing demands. The areas addressed include: Optimising/expanding the existing local public transport infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians More efficient use of the existing infrastructure Traffic reduction Changing road-user behaviour and shifting towards more environmentally friendly transport means In 2003, Frankfurt s city parliament voted to adopt a strategy aimed at increasing the share of bicycle traffic to 15% by 2012 (1998: 6%). Frankfurt s global transport plan (2005) includes a general strategy for integrated city and transport planning for the period up to Among other things, it consists of plans for the expansion of local public transport and for mobility management and counselling services as well as mobility concepts for Frankfurt s suburban districts. It also incorporates the measures planned as part of the bicycle strategy. The global transport plan is being progressively further developed and includes a number of feasibility exercises. In 2006 the city established its own traffic department to coordinate overall traffic plans and to secure financing. 1

2 The city of Frankfurt am Main has set itself the goal of complying with EU limit values for harmful airborne substances. Diesel vehicles are the main generators of particulate matter and NO 2. The measures to improve air quality are given in the Clean Air Plan for the Rhine-Main metropolitan area (Hessian Ministry for the Environment, Energy, Agriculture and Consumer Protection 2005) and Frankfurt s action plans (Hessian Ministry for the Environment, Energy, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (2005 and 2008)). The first revision of the Clean Air Plan for the Rhine-Main metropolitan area (sub-plan for Frankfurt am Main 2011) is available in draft form. Noise abatement plans also contain many measures affecting traffic (Darmstadt Regional Council 2010: noise action plan for Hesse, sub-plan for road traffic). More detailed descriptions are provided in the environmental indicators for local ambient air quality and noise pollution. In the German Government s promotional initiative Electromobility Model Regions, the ZEBRA project (Zero Emission Best Practice Rhine-Main Area) earned the Frankfurt/Rhine-Main region a place in the top eight regions. In summer 2011, Frankfurt s municipal authorities approved a comprehensive strategy paper ( Frankfurt e-mobile 2025 ) as the basis for introducing and promoting the electromobility concept. One feature of many measures taken by the city authorities is cooperative ventures with associations and clubs that act as multipliers, business enterprises and employers as well local citizens. Information, incentives and suggestions will encourage them to take part for the benefit of all concerned. 1. Length of designated cycle lanes in relation to the total number of inhabitants in the city. Unit: Metres per inhabitant. Designated means for bicycle use only Please divide into: a) Physically separated, designated lanes along streets and roads; b) Marked and signed only, designated cycle lanes on streets and roads; c) Designated cycle lanes removed from the road network (e.g. in parks, recreational trails); d) Other lanes for bicycle use (e.g. mixed with pedestrians; light motorised vehicles, buses, etc). The third and fourth categories are optional information for qualitative evaluation and should not be counted in the total for the indicator. Frankfurt s network of main urban and regional cycle routes is around 460 km long, i.e metres of cycle lane per inhabitant. The total length of the cycle lanes removed from the road network is around 210 km. The Green Belt Cycle Circuit (GrünGürtel-Radrundweg) alone accounts for 75 km of that total. Cyclists may ride in both directions along some 800 km of one-way residential streets with traffic-calming measures (30 km/h speed restriction). 2

3 2. Share of population living within 300 metres of an hourly (or more frequent) public transport service If the share of population living under 300 metres of an hourly (or more frequent) public transport service cannot be provided from existing data, please use professional judgement and provide additional supporting information. Around 650,000 inhabitants are, at most, 300 metres from the nearest local public transport stop (as the crow flies). That is 94.4% of the total population. Half are stops serviced by local or regional rail transport, with vehicles generally running several times an hour between 6 am and midnight. All others are bus stops serviced by the local public transport network. More than 450,000 people have access to night buses that operate seven days a week in a 300 metre radius. 3. Proportion of all journeys under 5 km by private car The indicator refers to the number of trips (start to end); please indicate the unit of the data if different. The indicator should refer to the city area as a whole; please indicate if the delimitation is different (e.g. city centre area, entire region, based on population rather than area, only commuting trips, etc). Frankfurt residents use private cars for some 23% of all journeys under 5 km (results of a traffic survey Mobility in towns SrV 2008 ). 4. Proportion of public transport classified as low emission Public transport classed as low emissions means the share of buses in the fleet (owned or contracted by city or region) having certified lower emissions than the present most stringent applicable EURO emissions standards (EURO V), for at least one of the pollutants NOx and particulates, without one of the pollutants being higher. Fulfilment of EURO VI is one possible measure of this. Information about alternative fuel buses as share of fleet may be given for qualitative evaluation, but is not to be included in calculating the indicator unless the criterion is fulfilled. Information about rail/light rail transport as shares of total public transport may be given for qualitative evaluation but is not to be included in calculating the indicator. Since 2005, in calls for tenders for its five bus networks, Frankfurt has insisted on continuous fleet optimisation in terms of the highest possible exhaust emission standards. Account has been taken of both existing standards and anticipated future requirements. The exhaust emission criteria for all vehicles used are stipulated in every new contract awarded and are mandatory. Of the 292 buses (excluding reserves) in Frankfurt s scheduled services, 225 comply with the EEV standard (77%). From December 2011 onwards, a further 57 such vehicles will be added, i.e. 98% of all vehicles will meet the EEV standard. Frankfurt s underground trains and trams have run on green electricity since early All 350 local trains run on electricity produced from renewable resources and obtained from local energy service provider Mainova AG, thus reducing CO 2 emissions by around 53,000 tonnes per annum. 3

4 Question 2 (max. 800 words) Details of targets achieved or not to date (within the last 5-10 years). Provide a review of how both situations occurred and lessons learned. Particular reference should be given to the reduction of total transport volume and encouraging a shift away from transport by car. Passenger transport in Frankfurt rose by 5.7% between 1995 and 2008 (public transport +18%; individual motorised transport +2%). Commuter traffic is the primary component of individual motorised transport (57%). The people of Frankfurt are making fewer journeys by car within the city (1998: 34%; 2008: 27%). The proportion of bicycle journeys more than doubled from 6% to 14% in 2008 and is now 15%. Many Frankfurt residents travel on foot (35%). The annual number of passengers using local public transport rose by around 20 million to just under 200 million in the past decade. Local public transport comprises 32% of all commuter traffic. 4

5 Traffic reduction Frankfurt aims to efficiently exploit its existing infrastructure while creating the right conditions to encourage the efficient use of transport options. Urban planning approaches are: Allocating areas for mixed development Giving priority to internal rather than external development (e.g. filling the gaps in densely packed urban areas) Special promotion of housing in inner city areas and in other areas previously used for commercial purposes only Current examples include the Europaviertel district built on the site of the former rail freight station and the urban development areas of Frankfurter Bogen and Riedberg. The retail and local centre concept (2008) is helping to boost existing retail centres in urban residential areas and to counteract the trend towards green field sites. Ensuring the local availability of supplies cuts down on the need for long journeys. Mobility counselling Frankfurt gives mobility advice through coordinated communication strategies (personal conversations, advertising and information, incentives, examples). Some projects in this area have long had a European bias (e.g. EU project ICMA amobilife ). traffiq (the municipal company that organises local transport in Frankfurt am Main, buses, trams, underground trains) is particularly committed to: Children, teenagers The over 50s New citizens Employees Encouraging walking To discourage people from using their cars for short journeys, the Nahmobilität ( Local Mobility ) pilot project was started in the Nordend district in 2006 as part of the global transport plan (budget: 1.6 million). The project involves the local population in testing ways of improving conditions for pedestrians: Pedestrian-friendly design of public areas, changes in parking regulations, direct and above-ground routing Barrier-free transport facilities Pedestrian-friendly traffic light sequences Promotion of a child-friendly traffic culture that encourages independence 5

6 Encouraging cycling The bicycle strategy agreed in 2003 aims to raise the proportion of bicycle traffic from 9% (2003) to 15% (2012). A mix of measures has been implemented: Cycling Office Participation in the Hessian bicycle route planner and in the online platform for reporting deficiencies in the cycle network Website on cycling in Frankfurt Bicycle route network plan some 50 km of bicycle routes were signposted and/or converted between 2005 and 2010; a further 30 km is planned for Changing traffic light sequences and amending right of way rules Allowing cyclists to ride in both directions along one-way streets Gradual implementation of the Bike&Ride concept Bicycle stands (around 1,000 p.a. erected since 2007) The bike&business project launched by the regional authority and the Hesse branch of the German Bicycle Club is working with employers and municipalities in the region to promote the use of bicycles as a means of getting to and from work. Promoting local public transport Local public transport is a priority concern in Frankfurt and is well developed. The aim is to increase its traffic share. Ongoing measures aim at improving the quality of the service provided, extending it in urban development areas and increasing its attractiveness for shopping and leisure and in off-peak periods: Extending the underground/tram network: greater frequencies, adjusted timetables, network expansion Extending the local train network Speeding up buses and trains Extending the bus service Optimising network maps and timetables: improved frequencies, regular operating time extended to 1 am Trial campaigns with tickets for specific target groups (trial tickets, subsidised season tickets for young people or trainees) Mobility counselling for companies (e.g. Jobticket) 6

7 Individual motorised transport To comply with the EU air quality limits, Frankfurt s aim is to avoid unnecessary car journeys and to enhance traffic flow: The Integrated Traffic Management Centre opened in 2005 to centrally control the traffic flow, car park and trade fair routing systems and 18 information screens. Lorries banned from selected stretches of road Low emission zone (2008) Extensive zones with a 30 km/h speed limit 30 km/h speed limit on selected key streets: new parking regulations, alternating parking, removal of central line, investment in facilities for cyclists Reducing the number of vehicles seeking parking spaces through 37 resident parking zones Frankfurt procured 400 natural gas-powered vehicles for its own fleet Question 3 (max. 800 words) Plans to meet or revise key targets for the future and the proposed approach to achieve these. Refer to: 1. Reduction of overall demand for transport; 2. Reduction of individual motorised transport; 3. Promotion of less environmentally damaging modes of transport. 1. Frankfurt s integrated urban and traffic plans include ongoing measures to create a city of short distances (designating and establishing residential and mixed areas close to the city centre and improving the quality of the residential environment). Market effects have led to surplus office space in Frankfurt (current vacancy rate 13%). One example of the planned conversion from office to living space is the Niederrad Office City district, where up to 3,000 apartments could be created. Making this a vibrant, mixed district would ensure economic and social stability and reduce traffic. 2. Long-term compliance with the EU limit value for NO 2 led to a comprehensive package of clean air measures for the Rhine-Main metropolitan area with a sub-plan for Frankfurt am Main (draft). To handle traffic in as city-friendly a way as possible and to reduce individual motorised transport, the city is advocating traffic routing and restriction measures, for example. These can only be implemented with the support of the regional and national government: Low emission regions (e.g. Frankfurt s low emission zone expanded to include Offenbach and other nearby towns) Speed restrictions Transit ban on lorries weighing > 3.5 tonnes on sections of roads with high concentrations of NO 2. 7

8 3. Ongoing measures are also being further developed and extended to encourage a shift from individual motorised transport to more environmentally friendly forms of transport as well as the use of enhanced or new technologies. Individual motorised transport Introduction of the third stage of the low emission zone on 1 January Only green-badged vehicles will then be allowed to enter the low emission zone. Mobility management To make the changeover to more environmentally friendly transport means more attractive, special attention is given to the interfaces between various transport forms, the goal being to facilitate the formation of travel chains. A multi-modal navigation system is being developed. Currently in its initial test phase, it will facilitate the combined use of bicycles, buses and trains, taxis, car-sharing and the use of one s own car. Mobility counselling: more mobility centres, e.g. at the main railway station or the airport. Information campaigns, school visits and mobility lessons at Frankfurt schools on walking, cycling and using the buses or trains Information packages and home-based individual mobility counselling (Financial) support by employers for the use of sustainable transport options (bicycles, buses, trains) Pedestrian traffic The experience gained from the Local Mobility pilot project in the Nordend district is being transferred to the entire urban area in a special internal exchange of experience. Bicycle traffic The bicycle strategy and the measures under point 2 are ongoing. There are plans to develop the potential of everyday bicycle traffic over fairly large distances, e.g. connections between the city and the surrounding areas. This includes cross-linking bicycle traffic with regional rail transport through a programme of regional bicycle stations. Local public transport Further local public transport measures are intended to optimise and extend the infrastructure and to make it simpler and more convenient to use: underground/suburban train lines and inner city tram lines Expanding the underground/suburban train lines and inner city tram lines Expanding the urban railway network Better passenger information at home and in transit 8

9 Frankfurt s Mobility and Traffic Planning Department is currently examining the following measures from the global transport plan: Establishing a circular tram line around Frankfurt s residential areas Increasing the capacity and speed of the U5 urban railway line Re-routing the No 14 tram line and adding a new section Extending specific tram and urban railway lines westward and eastward and adding new stops Municipal vehicle fleet The municipal authority has decided that, in the future, account will be taken of CO 2 emissions, noise development and exhaust emissions when new cars are procured for the city council. Preference will be given to vehicles that already meet the Euro 6 level, if available. Electromobility As part of the Frankfurt e-mobility 2025 strategy, a large number of individual projects will be promoting the use of electric cars and the requisite charging infrastructure, other electrically powered vehicles (e-bikes, pedelecs) and the interlinking of different transport means ( travel chains ) by The everyday use of electric vehicles and the charging infrastructure for private and commuter vehicles will be investigated and tested as part of the Electromobility Model Region. Frankfurt Model: open system for recharging in the public arena as well as trialling of pedelecs, e-scooters and electric cars by various user groups Since December 2009, six electric vehicles used by the UPS logistics company Procurement of numerous pedelecs as part of the bike&business 2.0 project 9