Interim conclusion of the traffic trials in Jena East
Almost a year ago, on August 1, 2020, the Camsdorfer Ufer / Camsdorfer Straße traffic trial was launched. This was preceded by extensive discussions about the safety of pedestrians and cyclists on and around the Camsdorf bridge. Crossing was particularly dangerous at the busy corner at the "Grüne Tanne". The temporary traffic lights on the bridge have remedied this situation. These have significantly increased the feeling of safety in this area.
As a result of the traffic lights, however, traffic jams formed at peak times - sometimes far into Karl-Liebknecht-Straße - and thus put a strain on motor vehicle and public transport traffic. The immense pressure on the junction had a massive impact on traffic safety in the area. There was an increase in red light running (sometimes from the third and fourth position of stationary vehicles) in the direction of the city center and severe misuse of the side lane at the houses from the pharmacy onwards. Urgent action was required here.
A traffic trial was therefore launched to relieve traffic on the corner at the "Grüne Tanne" and thus restore the necessary traffic safety here. The opening of Camsdorfer Straße for both directions of traffic also reduced the backlog on Karl-Liebknecht-Straße and the pressure on the "Grüne Tanne" junction decreased significantly.
Criticism from local residents
On the other hand, there was also criticism due to the increased traffic load in Camsdorfer Straße. Residents wrote a petition entitled "Stop the traffic trial".
The administration is in contact with local residents. Adjustments to the traffic routing on the two streets have already been made and further measures are under discussion.
Steps already implemented:
- The speed for driving through the road was reduced from 30 to 20 km/h in October 2020
- The unfavorable geometry of the intersection at the "Geleitshaus" was adjusted in June 2021. Guiding elements will be installed here in the short term to slow down the entrance to Camsdorfer Straße (from the south) even further.
- In June 2021, speed checks were carried out, during which a number of speeding violations of the prescribed 20 km/h were detected.
- These measurements will be carried out regularly in future and will improve road safety in the area.
- In June 2021, left turns were permitted again at "Grüne Tanne", so that the flow of traffic no longer has to spread out on Camsdorfer Straße alone.
The aim is to find a solution that is acceptable to everyone involved. Priority will be given to aspects of road safety - including, of course, those of the immediate residents.
Traffic accident involving a child cannot be directly attributed to a traffic test
On 22.06.2021, a child was hit by a car in Camsdorfer Straße and had to be taken to hospital. This accident is very regrettable and was the subject of intense public debate. No connection could be established between the traffic accident and the cause of the accident.
The child had entered the carriageway quickly behind a stationary vehicle waiting at the stop sign and was therefore not recognized in time by the driver of the car on the opposite carriageway and was hit by the car. This accident constellation (stopped vehicles and northbound traffic) already existed before the traffic test was introduced. Such situations are to be mitigated in future by the guidance elements.
Two further minor accidents occurred during the ongoing traffic trial.
Traffic trial will continue until the end of the year
The traffic light system at the "Grüne Tanne" is a key component for road safety in Jena East.
A count in June 2021 showed that 200 pedestrians and cyclists cross the "Grüne Tanne" junction in the morning. The installed traffic lights are therefore of the utmost importance to ensure a safe crossing. This position is also held by the Cycling Advisory Council.
This traffic light system will only be able to handle all the traffic if there are additional alternatives for left turns from Karl-Liebknecht-Straße into Camsdorfer Ufer.
The traffic trial will therefore continue until the end of 2021 and an overall conclusion will then be drawn. This also applies to the trial introduction of a 30 km/h zone along Karl-Liebknecht-Straße.