This is how Kempten wants to measure traffic: Complex technology is not used for reasons of economy – News from Kempten

How do construction sites affect traffic flow? Kempten In the future, the city wanted to use simulations to model how new car-free roads would impact other roads. The Mobility Commission commissioned a feasibility study for the €800,000 project in the spring. It is now clear: successfully implementing such a simulation is expensive and therefore risky – but above all it cannot be implemented in the next two years, as the smart city project, financed with 17.5 million euros, is still underway, as explained by Mobility Director Stefan. Sommerfeld. Should you abandon the idea now? not quite. In the future, more than 20 cameras will be used to measure traffic in the city around the clock.

The city wants to collect data at more than 20 measurement points

The city wants to install measuring sensors, among others, at the St. Mang Bridge, between Berliner Platz and the motorway entrances and at the intersection of Lindauer Straße/Salzstraße, Sommerfeld explained to committee members during the last meeting. This complies with data protection and provides insight into questions such as: Where do vehicles come from and what are their destinations? How many cars, trucks and bikes are there on the road? How long do they stay in the city center? Sommerfeld: “So far we only have snapshots.” Because data was collected only selectively in time and place.

Council members immediately thought of some hot spots. “We need data from Residenz and Pfeilergraben to make our future decisions,” said Julius Bernhardt (Kempten Future). He was pointing out temporary bus stops that could be taken there when ZUM was over. Bernhardt also called for specific data about cycling. Josef Mayer (CSU) also said there would be investments in the Saint Mang Bridge: “Collecting data can make us faster and save costs.”

(Read also: Due to the development of Ari Barracks: the speed limit will soon be 50 on the circuit in Kemten)

External offices simulate traffic scenarios

Thomas Hartmann (Green Party) asked whether 20 measurement points and the concept without simulation were sufficient as a basis for decision making. Yes, because external specialist offices still have to model scenarios based on traffic data, Sommerfeld answered. In this way, different alternatives for urban development can be studied. “The goal is also to be able to make statements about streets that can't be measured,” Somerfield explains.

When Alexander Wolfpack (Free Voters) asked about the process and staff costs, smart city project manager Andreas Ellinger invited people to the future lab to offer insights on similar projects. For example, there is already a simulation of the Dasher roundabout – the focus is on larger trucks. The committee unanimously decided to begin the award process. The cost of the traffic data collection project is expected to reach approximately 300,000 euros, of which the city will cover 144,000 euros.