Vision Mobility 2050

Aachen is a European competence center for electromobility. The means of transportation in Aachen should operate completely without fossil fuels. The energy required will be produced in a climate-neutral way - as far as possible in the Aachen region itself

Aachen: Model region for electromobility

Aachen is the German city with the lowest per capita energy consumption for mobility. The early and forward-looking switch to alternative drive systems has meant that mobility has remained affordable despite the immense rise in oil prices.

Electric vehicles are developed in Aachen

Aachen has taken on a pioneering role for alternative drive systems, starting with electromobility. The aim is to achieve the target set by the EU in 2011 of all cars in urban areas being locally emission-free by 2050 even earlier in Aachen.

Networked electromobility

With the boom in electric bicycles, which were still ridiculed in 2010, and the subsequent electrification of bus transport, Aachen was one of the first cities in Germany to succeed in networking all means of transport into an "electromobile mobility network".

resolved in Jan 2014

to the detailed brochure Vision Mobility 2050 (pdf) 

About the electromobility concept

Aachen is easily accessible by all means of transportation. There are good long-distance and regional transport connections. Freight traffic is compatible with the city.

Accessibility and commercial traffic in the region

The rail infrastructure in the region is well developed. All train stations are attractive gateways and multimodal connection points, and innovative park-and-ride systems encourage people to switch to public transport when entering the city.

Accessibility and commercial transport in long-distance traffic

Long-distance rail and bus connections have been successfully expanded. Aachen is easily accessible by train, long-distance bus, coach and car and has connections to several airports. Out-of-town guests can easily reach the inner-city destinations.

Urban-friendly freight transport

Freight transport is carried out in an urban-friendly manner, emissions have been reduced to an acceptable level.

resolved in Jan 2014

to the detailed brochure Vision Mobility 2050 (pdf) 

On the concept of inner-city mobility for tomorrow

Mobility in Aachen is organized in an efficient, environmentally friendly and cost-effective way. The city administration works with many partners to ensure that there are attractive and easy-to-understand mobility offers. All mobility services in the Aachen region can be used and combined easily and across borders.

City as the engine of mobility management

• Mobility in Aachen is organized in a particularly efficient, cost-effective, cooperative and environmentally friendly way
• There are attractive mobility offers for all citizens.
• The city administration coordinates mobility services for the benefit of the city and its citizens. To this end, it encourages improvements to existing services and supports the introduction of new services that meet the city's mobility goals.
• The best possible conditions for efficient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly mobility are created in all new construction projects.

Mobility services are easy to use within the mobility network.

• A wide range of mobility options are available.
• There is a common understanding for cooperation between the means of transportation.
• All means of transportation (rental bikes, buses, trains and cars) can be used and combined easily and across borders.

adopted in Jan 2014; adapted to gender-inclusive language

to the detailed brochure Vision Mobility 2050 (pdf) 

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.

Parking in Aachen

• As there are far fewer cars, the parking problems have decreased significantly and the streets have been made more attractive.
• Parking space management is in place in all densely populated areas for the benefit of residents.

Using cars efficiently

• The car has remained a necessary part of urban transportation
• "Using" instead of "owning" is widespread in cars and has led to a considerable increase in efficiency.
• A large number of households can now manage without their own car thanks to the wide range of easily combinable alternative mobility options.
• Only a few empty seats are driven around in cars. This avoids traffic jams and saves money.

Safe, urban-friendly and smooth car traffic

• Cars are emission-free and quiet on the road.
• Serious accidents have virtually ceased to occur since all cars have driver assistance systems and drive at speeds adapted to the situation.
• The necessary car traffic can flow smoothly.

adopted in Jan 2014; adapted to use gender-neutral language. This text is currently being revised as part of the preparation of the car traffic concept.

to the brochure Vision Mobility 2050 (pdf) 

Aachen's road network is in good condition. All roads meet the requirements for adequate traffic and amenity quality. Residents can live healthily and travel safely on all streets. Road users show consideration for one another. All streets meet the requirements for an appropriate quality of traffic and amenity. Streets and squares are designed to be safe and barrier-free.

The Aachen road network

The road network in Aachen is in good condition and works well.

What condition should our roads be in?

• Roads and squares are in good condition in terms of construction, function and design.
• Sufficient resources are available for renewal and maintenance.

Designing streets as safe living spaces

• The mobility culture in Aachen is characterized by consideration and cooperation.
• All streets meet the requirements for appropriate traffic and amenity quality
• Streets and squares are safe and barrier-free.
• The street design standards are based on the historically evolved structures and support mutual consideration between all users.

to the brochure Vision Mobility 2050 (pdf) 

More

People in Aachen can do many things on foot and enjoy walking. The streets and footpaths are safe to use, barrier-free, green and attractive for pedestrians of all ages. Visitors experience Aachen as a European city of science between innovation and tradition.

Aachen - a city of short distances

Daily errands can be done comfortably and safely on foot in all parts of the city.

The Aachen footpath network

There is a seamless network of footpaths that are easy to navigate.

Green paths into the green countryside

The people of Aachen start their walks at home. All green areas are connected to each other and to the city center.

Barrier-free city - there is still a lot to do!

All people can move independently in public spaces.

It doesn't get any healthier than walking - Aachen stays fit.

Walking every day is good for your health and contributes to your fitness.

to the brochure Vision Mobility 2050 (pdf) 

More

Almost everyone in Aachen enjoys cycling and does so frequently. Cycling is safe and convenient in Aachen and the surrounding area. There are convenient and sufficient parking facilities for bicycles. The possibility of renting bicycles throughout the city is an important component of Aachen's mobility network.

The Aachen cycling network - road-dependent forms of guidance

• Aachen has a comprehensive, seamless, easy-to-understand cycling network that is in good condition.
• There are comfortable and safe cycle paths to all surrounding communities.

Rent, park and continue your journey by bus and train

• Every building constructed after 2015 has at least one convenient bicycle parking space for each resident.
• The bicycle has been established as an ideal means of urban transportation for decades and is an integral part of an urban mobility culture. Close networking of public transport and cycling has led to a strengthening of both systems.
• Aachen has a comprehensive network of rental bikes.

Safe and accident-free cycling

• The aim is to ensure that no cyclist is injured or killed through no fault of their own by another road user.
• The sharp increase in bicycle traffic has increased awareness of cyclists and thus improved road safety, with the result that even inexperienced cyclists feel respected and safe on the roads.

to the brochure Vision Mobility 2050 (pdf) 

About the cycling strategy

Buses and trains in Aachen and the surrounding area are always reliable and fast on the main axes. For all areas of the city, there are networked and affordable mobility services adapted to demand. Buses and trains are inexpensive, easy, safe and barrier-free to use and form the backbone of Aachen's mobility network.

The Aachen bus network

• Residential areas, places of work, shopping and leisure facilities are well connected by public transport at attractive intervals and with short travel times.
• The efficient bus route network has a clear structure:
  • Main lines on the strong axes
  • Supplementary lines, feeder / collector lines
  • Express bus lines
• All stops in Aachen are barrier-free. Many stops have become mobility stations where several modes of transport are linked: Bus / train, car (car sharing), bicycle (rental bike, parking facilities).

Regional bus & rail transport is a model for success

• The continuous expansion of the regional rail network has led to a significant increase in the number of passengers traveling between Aachen and the surrounding area.
• In areas of the surrounding countryside that are not served by rail, there are express buses as well as mobility stations where means of transport and journeys are bundled.

Which buses will take us into the future?

• The buses in Aachen are easy, safe and comfortable to use and run emission-free.

Quality and reliability are still not good enough for many

• Buses and trains are punctual and reliable. The necessary framework conditions have been created.
• Every interested user is immediately informed about the causes, consequences and alternatives in the event of deviations from the public transport timetable.
• Thanks to a nationwide mobility guarantee, the people of Aachen find public transport very reliable

to the brochure Vision Mobility 2050 (pdf) 

To the local transport plan