Improving car accessibility to

Nijmegen center towards 2025

Research of viable solutions

Arjen van DiepenTim van Leeuwen Bernat Goñi Ros

Vikash Mohan 18 May 2010

Outline What problem do we want to solve?

Problem analysis How do we want to solve the problem?

Description of the measures Performance evaluation Combination of measures

Conclusions Recommendations

What problem do we want to solve? The route that gives access to Nijmegen from the north of

the river Waal is severely congested during peak hours, which reduces accessibility to the city center.

PrinsMauritssingel

KeizerKarelplein

Waalbrug route

City center

Waalbrug

New Stadsbrug

Oranjesingel Sint Cansiussingel

KeizerTraianusplein

Gen. James Gavinweg

P&R Ressen

Overbetuwe

Bemmel

Elst

Huissen

Lingewaard

North

Center

East

South

Arnhem

Nijmegen

SouthWest

Waalsprong

Center

New A15

North

Northern zones

Problem analysis Stakeholders and issues:

Province

National governme

ntCity

Region

Local governme

nt

Political parties

Entrepreneurs City Center

Environmental organizations

KvK

Livability Costs

Accessibility

Offensief Bereikbaar

heidcommuters Inhabitants

Problem analysis A new bridge to cross the river (Stadsbrug) is going to be

built in 2013. The Stadsbrug will be used by an important share of the traffic crossing the Waal in the future (45,000 vehicles/day).

Waal crossings

New Stadsbrug

A50 Bridge

Waalbrug

PrinsMauritssingel

KeizerKarelplein

Waalbrug route

City center

Waalbrug

New Stadsbrug

Oranjesingel Sint Cansiussingel

KeizerTraianusplein

Gen. James Gavinweg

P&R Ressen

Problem analysis However, the severity of congestion on the Waalbrug route

is expected to stay high because of the following reasons: The Waalbrug route will remain the most attractive route to travel

between the northern zones and Nijmegen centre, south and east New residential development in the Waalsprong (+20.000 inhabitants

in 2020) Demand autonomous growth

Waalsprong

City center

PrinsMauritssingel

KeizerKarelplein

Waalbrug route

City center

Waalbrug

New Stadsbrug

Oranjesingel Sint Cansiussingel

KeizerTraianusplein

Gen. James Gavinweg

P&R Ressen

Problem analysis The capacity of the Waalbrug route is not sufficient to

accommodate the predicted traffic demand: The Keizer Traianusplein is the main bottleneck The capacity of the Waalbrug is almost fully used The capacity of the Singels is reduced by the high number of conflicts

between traffic flows

950

1350

100

100

350

650

BUS

BUS

BUS

1650

1400

1400

1300

1650

200500

1050

100

100

500 500

400

buslane

400

850

650200

250

1450

2500

2300 Waalb

rug

German

y

Graadt van Roggenstraat

Mr. Franckenstraat

Oranj

esin

gel

Center east

1700

2350

2150

TraianuspleinEvening Peak 2020Without measures

Same level crossing with traffic lights

Same level crossing with traffic lights

City center

Traianusplein

How do we want to solve the problem? Reducing the I/C ratios along the Waalbrug

route by: Increasing the capacity of certain road

stretches along the route Measure 1: Infrastructural improvements

Reducing traffic intensities on the route Measure 2: Improvement of the Waalsprinter service Measure 3: Parking policy

Constraints: Livability (air quality, noise, traffic safety) Costs (investment, O&M)

Measure 1: InfrastructureObjectives: Reduce conflicts on Keizer Traianusplein Increase capacity on the Waalbrug

Measure 1: InfrastructureDescription: Left turn on K. Traianusplein (direction

Ubbergseweg) facilitated by lowering the lanes going straight (viaduct)

Extra lane on the Waalbrug in northern direction using the current cycle path. Lane will be dedicated for the first exit after the Waalbrug (direction Waalsprong/Bemmel) This exit is estimated to be used by 700 veh/h in the

evening peak. In southern direction, the current bus lane will be

opened to car drivers going to the city center. This lane will be used by about 350 veh/hour in the

evening peak.

950

300

100

350

650

1650

1400

1400

950

1650

200500

100

500 500

400

100

850

650200

250

1800

1950 Waalbru

g

Ubbe

rgse

weg

(dire

ction

Germ

any)

Graadt van Roggenstraat

Mr. Franckenstraat

Oranj

esin

gel

Center east

950

1600

1400

TraianuspleinEvening Peak 2020

With Measure 1

700

750

350

700

450

700

300

350

100

350

T2

Exi

t ce

nter

eas

t

Waalbrug

400 meter

Bus

lane

Exi

t be

mm

el

Bus

lane

Exi

t B

emm

el

350 meter

Waalbrug

Traianusplein

Exi

t cen

ter e

ast

Exi

t ce

nter

eas

t

Exi

t be

mm

el

Inco

min

g fr

om G

erm

any

DirectionLent

WaalbrugFuture

Situation

Dire

ctio

n L

ent

OverbetuweElst

Bemmel

Huissen

ArnhemCenter

Arnhemnorth

Arnhemsouth

ArnhemEast, Velp

Waalsprong

Nijmegen Center

Lingewaard

Nijmegenwest

Waalsprinter Current situation (peak hours) Access routes to P+R Ressen Waalsprinter route

P+R Ressen

Waalsprinter

6x

2x

8x

Nijmegensouth

8x

2x 6x

Overbetuwe Elst

Bemmel

Huissen

ArnhemCenter

Arnhemnorth

Arnhemsouth

ArnhemEast, Velp

Waalsprong

Nijmegen Center

Lingewaard

Nijmegenwest

3235

25

32530

31

33

33

33 32

32

31

35

35

33

Nijmegensouth

Public transport network Waalsprinter

Measure 2: P&R and Waalsprinter

Measure 2: P&R and Waalsprinter

Background: All northern zones have a public transport connection to

Nijmegen center, but most of them are not competitive with car routes.

Routes using car and Waalsprinter are almost the only routes including use of public transport that are competitive with car routes.

Improving the Waalsprinter service has a high potential of influencing mode choice. The travel time elements that could be improved are:

Penalty for transferring from private vehicle to transit Bus running time in the Waalbrug in direction north

Measure 2: P&R and Waalsprinter

Objectives: Make routes using transit services to cross the river a more

attractive option for travelers, in order to influence their mode choice behavior and reduce the amount of cars on the Waalbrug route.

Measure 2: P&R and Waalsprinter

Description: Making the side lane of the Waalbrug in direction north a

dedicated bus lane for the Waalsprinter bus running time Making several improvements in the Park & Ride facility to

offer a higher level of security and comfort transfer penalty Security:

Higher fences Transfer comfort:

Covered walking paths Escalators Waiting room: comfortable seats, vending machines, TV set,

real-time information about bus departure times P&R entry points (highway): real-time information about

parking availability and bus departure times

Measure 2: P&R and Waalsprinter

550

220

Waiting room

Bus stop

A325

Ovatonde

P+R RessenFuture Situation (2010)

Escalators

Parking: 67

Next bus: 5’

550

220

Waiting room

Bus stop

A325

Ovatonde

P+R RessenFuture Situation (2010)

Escalators

Parking: 67

Next bus: 5’

Parking: 67

Next bus: 5’

550

220

Waitingroom

busstop

A325

Ovatonde

P+R RessenCurrent Situation (2010)

Measure 3: Parking policy

Background: No attractive long-stay

parking alternative for people from North and East on their side of the city center.

No attractive short-stay parking alternative for people from the South on their side of the city center.

Signs Not all parking facilities in PRIS + the signs are not clear in directing people to parking facilities.

This results in conflicts on the Singels (crossings, left turns) and high intensities.

P Wedren

P Centrum

P Centrum zuid

P Wedren

P Centrum west

P Centrum oost

P Centrum zuid

P Centrum oost

P Centrum west

P Wedren

P Centrum

P Centrum

P Centrum oost

P Centrum

P Centrum oost

P Centrum oost

P Centrum west

P Centrum zuid

Routing to parkingsCurrent situation (2010)

P6

P5

P1

P2

P3

P8

P12

P7

P11

P9

P10

P14

CENTRUM OOST

P1 Kelfkensbos (600)P2 Eiermarkt (350)P10 Groene Balkon (26)P14 Passantenhaven (58)CENTRUM ZUID

P3 Marienburg (300)P5 Molenpoortdak (350)P6 Wedren/Julianaplein (300)CENTRUM WEST

P7 Ivensplein (40)P8 Nassausingel (70)P9 Waalkade (58)P11 St. Oude Stad (11)P12 P+R CS station (150)

(underline is parking garage)(red dot: long parking)

Measure 3: Parking policy

Objectives: Direct car users coming from the northern zones and

Nijmegen east to parking spaces on the northeast side of the city center.

Direct car users coming from Nijmegen south to parking spaces on the southern side of the city center.

Measure 3: Parking policy

Description: Changes in policy and parking information system:

Level the day card tariffs of the parking facilities located in the northeast and south of the city center.

Facilitate short stay parking in the south: hourly based parking on Wedren/Julianaplein

Include Wedren/Julianaplein in dynamic parking information system and rename to Centrum Zuid

New information panels on Prins Bernhardstraat directing people to Wedren/Julianaplein

New information panels before Waalbrug and Nieuwe Ubbergseweg to direct people to parking facilities in the northeast of the city center.

P Centrum oost

P Centrum zuid

P Centrum oost

P Centrum oost

P Centrum west

P Centrum zuid

Routing to parkingsFuture situation

P6

P5

P1

P2

P3

Px

P12

P7

P11

P9

P10

P14

CENTRUM OOST

P1 Kelfkensbos (600)P2 Eiermarkt (350)P10 Groene Balkon (26)P14 Passantenhaven (58)CENTRUM ZUID

P3 Marienburg (300)P5 Molenpoortdak (350)P6 Wedren/Julianaplein (300)CENTRUM WEST

P7 Ivensplein (40)P9 Waalkade (58)P11 St. Oude Stad (520)P12 P+R CS station (150)Px S. Mathonsingel (650)

(underline is parking garage)(red dot: long parking)

Parkeren Centrum

dagparkeren en winkelgebied

volg Centrum oost

P Centrum zuid

P Centrum oost

P Centrum west

P Centrum zuid / west

P Centrum oost

P Centrum zuid / west

P Centrum oost

Parkeerroute Centrum zuid

VOL

VRIJVRIJ

Centrum west

Centrumzuid 1

Centrumzuid 2

VOLVRIJ

Parkeerroute Centrum zuid

Performance evaluation

Criteria Infrastructure Measure

Waalsprinter Measure

Parking Policy

Accessibility Generalized Travel Time -2,5% -0,5% -0,4% Travel Time reliability + 0 0 Livability Air Quality 0 0 0 Noise 0 0 0 Traffic Safety + 0 0 Costs Investment Costs (€) 760.000 270.000 200.000 M & O costs (€/yr) 65.400 13.500 20.000 Opposing parties Environmentalists Entrepreneurs -

Combination of measuresM1: I nfrastructure M2: Waalsprinter M3: Parking Policy

WS might experience hindrance of cars using lane in southern direction

Attractive car route could lead to less WS users

Overlapping target groups

Parking policy might have congestion effects on WS lane

M3: Parking Policy

Waalbrug lane in southern direction attracts more car users to center east which supports parking policy

More WS users means less problems finding a parking spot

M1: I nfrastructure

Congestion might occur on lane in southern direction due to extra attraction of car users

M2: Waalsprinter

Waalbrug lane in northern direction can also be used by WS

Timeline

2010 2025

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

2012Opening Stadsbrug

2018Opening Tramline

Waalsprong-Center-Heijendaal

2020Waalsprong 20.000 Inhabitants

2011Improving Parking Policy (Measure 3)

Improving WaalsprinterService (Measure 2)

2013 - 2014Redesign Traianuspleinand Waalsprinter lane

2013 - 2015Maintenance Waalbrug

Planned activities

Proposedmeasures

Conclusions What problem do we want to solve? The route that gives access to

Nijmegen from the north of the river Waal is severely congested during peak hours, which reduces accessibility to the city center.

How do we want to solve the problem? Reducing the I/C ratios along the Waalbrug route by increasing the capacity of certain road stretches along the route and by reducing traffic intensities on the route; solution constraints are livability and costs.

Three measures are found viable: Measure 1: An infrastructural measure that includes a redesign of the

Keizer Traianusplein and the implementation of extra lanes on the Waalbrug to create more capacity.

Measure 2: A measure consisting of Waalsprinter improvements including the redesign of the P&R to increase safety and transfer comfort and also a bus dedicated lane on the Waalbrug in direction north.

Measure 3: A new parking policy containing a renewed parking information system, signs and pricing policy.

Evaluation: Measure 1 (infrastructure) is the one that improves accessibility the most. However, it also has some disadvantages:

The investment and O&M costs are relatively high Some main stakeholders (such as the environmental groups) might

strongly oppose its implementation.

Recommendations 1. Implement the three proposed measures, after a

careful evaluation of second order effects. 2. Analyze the traffic situation and evaluate the effects of

the proposed measures using a more accurate transportation model.

3. Define with more detail the structural design aspects of the proposed measures.

4. Costs associated to the proposed measures should be determined more in depth, possibly using a cost-benefit analysis approach.

5. Engage the more powerful stakeholders in the design and implementation phases of these measures.

Thank you!

Arjen van Diepen Tim van Leeuwen Bernat Goñi Ros Vikash Mohan

Solution spaceImprove the accessibility of

Nijmegen centre from the North (route using the Waalbrug)

Reducing car intensity on the route

Increasing capacity of the route

Public Transport Demand, traffic and parking policy

Road infrastructure

1. Building new bus/tram lines

2. Improve existing bus/train services2a. Increase commercial speed

2b. Increase frequencies2c. Reduce access times

7. Improve image of PT

4. Improve PT fare system

5. Provide new Park & Ride facilities

11. Provide better parking information and guidance

12. Improve parking fare system

6. Ferry system

3. Improve the Waalsprinter service3a. Increase comfort

3b. Increase frequencies

8. Road pricing

9. Smart pricing

10. Dynamic Traffic Management measures 10a. Route guidance system

10b. Dynamic speed management10c. Traffic lights management

10d. Ramp metering

16. Reduce/remove conflicts between traffic flows

16a. Reduce/remove conflicts on K. Traianusplein16b. Reduce/remove conflicts on the Singels

13. Build a new bridge to cross the river

14. Widen the Waalbrug

15. Open Waalbrug’s side lanes to car traffic