Car traffic plays a major role in Aachen: 46% of trips are made by car. In order to achieve an urban-friendly situation, the city of Aachen is pursuing the goal of reducing the number of journeys made by car with its urban mobility strategy. A target value of 36% has been formulated. This is to be achieved in particular by creating attractive alternatives and mobility options. The necessary motor vehicle traffic still has its place in the city of Aachen's traffic planning and should be handled in a compatible manner. The needs of delivery traffic and people who are dependent on a car for physical or other reasons should be met in particular.
The model for car traffic in Aachen (Vision Mobility 2050)
Cars in Aachen are quiet and emission-free and are equipped with safety and assistance systems. The use of cars is adapted to the respective traffic situation in such a way that traffic jams only occur in exceptional cases. Car sharing is widespread and has led to considerably less parking space being required.
Car traffic concept
As part of the Mobility Strategy 2030, a concept for the further development of car traffic in Aachen will be drawn up in 2025. In particular, two expert reports on parking, which were presented to the Mobility Committee in 2023, as well as the current political decisions on parking tariffs and resident parking zones will be taken into account. The "Main motor vehicle road network" module was already adopted in 2017.
Motor vehicle main road network
FH Aachen
In 2017, the political committees determined which roads in Aachen should perform a so-called "connecting function". Through traffic is to be concentrated on these main roads shown in bold on the map. All other roads have an access function. The avenue ring thus forms the innermost distribution ring for car traffic.
The report by FH Aachen, which was commissioned by the City of Aachen, explains the objectives on which the network was based and the different types of main roads.
Electromobility
CONORCROWE, © City of Aachen / Conor Crowe
The vision for electromobility in Aachen (Vision Mobility 2050)
By 2050, Aachen's means of transportation should be completely fossil-free. The energy required will be produced in a climate-neutral way - as far as possible in the Aachen region itself. Aachen is a European competence center for electromobility.
Electromobility strategy
As part of the Mobility Strategy 2030, an electric mobility strategy for the city of Aachen has been developed by the ISME office on behalf of the city of Aachen since 2023 and was unanimously adopted in Jan. 2025. The expansion of the charging infrastructure, the role of companies in the drive transition and good communication through networking of stakeholders and advice for interested parties are the focal points of the work.
Parking space concepts
In Germany, cars are driven for an average of 46 minutes a day and are therefore parked for more than 23 hours, mostly at home. At peak hours, a maximum of 9 percent of vehicles are on the road at the same time(MiD 2017, p. 76).
The number of registered cars in Aachen on 01.01.2024 was 116,733, which corresponds to 444 cars per 1,000 inhabitants(Stat. Yearbook, p. 128). Around 33% of Aachen residents live in a household without their own car. The city of Aachen promotes car sharing, as each shared car replaces around ten individual cars.
Visitors who come to Aachen by car also want to park their car safely. As there is not enough public street space for this, especially in the city center, and it is also used for many other purposes, the city of Aachen regulates parking.
Langweg, Armin (City of Aachen), © Planersocietät
Parking space report
2023, the inventory of on-street parking spaces and semi-public parking spaces and conflicts of use were recorded. Measures and recommendations for action were derived from this.
Langweg, Armin (City of Aachen), © Planersocietät
Overall neighborhood parking concept
Based on three neighborhoods, a methodology for determining parking space requirements was determined and recommendations for action were developed.
Langweg, Armin (City of Aachen), © City of Aachen
Resident parking
Here you can find the current status of resident parking in Aachen