Loading zones in Aachen

Delivery vehicles have long been part of the urban landscape of every city. At the same time, the vehicles require a lot of space and often block parts of the road when loading and unloading. The city of Aachen has set up separate loading zones for delivery vehicles, thereby creating more order in the tight inner-city traffic.

As for all major cities in Germany, the forecast for Aachen is that the annual parcel volume will increase by over 17% by 2027 compared to 2022 (source: Bundesverband Paket und Expresslogistik). To counter this trend, the city of Aachen is setting up prioritized loading zones, which are also equipped with sensors at individual points. Delivery and loading zones will enable the increasing volume of deliveries to be managed and the city to be supplied with goods and services. At the same time, the flow of traffic is less obstructed. Delivery and loading zones can be used both commercially and privately. So if you can't find a parking space outside your front door after a visit to the furniture store, you can use the loading zone.

What a loading zone looks like

Loading zones are special areas in public spaces that may be used for loading and unloading. As a rule, these zones are located in parking lanes. In Aachen, loading zones can be recognized by the combination of a sign indicating a restricted stopping ban with exception(s). Where appropriate, they are also marked with symbols on the ground.

Unload your shopping in a relaxed manner

The zones offer greater road safety both for people who want to load or unload their vehicles and for all other road users. Loading zones enable faster loading and unloading and thus contribute to a fairer and more relaxed use of road space for all of us. In residential areas with limited parking facilities, for example, it will once again be possible to unload weekend shopping in a relaxed manner.

It has already been proven that the designated loading zones are used less often incorrectly by road users compared to "restricted no-stopping zones", in which loading and unloading is generally permitted. The reasons for this are the extended signage and floor markings in the loading zones.

Simply book a loading zone in future!

A loading zone in Jülicher Straße was equipped with sensors as early as 2022. In February 2024, two further loading zones in Pontstrasse were equipped with sensors for a pilot test. These sensors are now being used to evaluate the use of these zones. In future, it will probably be possible to book the loading zones for delivery traffic. .

By the way: In Aachen there are 165 places with restricted no-stopping and loading zones in which commercial users (tradesmen, delivery services, care services) with appropriate authorization (e.g. tradesmen's parking permit) are allowed to park. Authorized vehicles may also park free of charge in paid parking spaces and residents' parking zones.

In the geodata portal of the city of Aachen, you can view the specially designated loading zones and the numerous loading and unloading options in restricted no-stopping zones.

What are loading zones?

Loading zones are special areas in public spaces, usually in parking lanes or parking strips, which are used for loading activities, loading and unloading by commercial and private delivery traffic. Loading zones are specially designated "restricted no-stopping zones" for delivery traffic.

The following rules apply in this area according to the road traffic regulations:

• Anyone driving a vehicle may not stop for more than three minutes [...], except to get in or out or to load or unload.
• Loading transactions must be carried out without delay.

The road traffic regulations do not differentiate between private and commercial vehicles. This means that anyone with a vehicle may stop in this area to load or unload. It is important that a delivery or loading process is recognizable and that it is carried out without delay.

With a craftsman's parking permit and a parking permit for social services, which can be applied for from the City of Aachen, it is permitted to park in the restricted no-parking zone while carrying out craft activities or during care. You can find more information on these special permits here.

The need for loading zones arises from the steady increase in motorized traffic in cities, especially on busy streets with a large number of stores and businesses and/or areas with a high population density. In addition, there are areas on road sections that would pose a safety risk, especially for cyclists and pedestrians, without a specially designated loading zone.

According to the "Bundesverband Paket und Expresslogistik e. V.", designated loading zones have a positive influence on the flow of traffic. They offer corresponding safety for other road users and for people carrying out loading and unloading activities. Loading zones enable better and faster loading and unloading and are a means of ensuring fairer use of road space.

It has been proven that loading zones, due to their extended signage and ground marking options, have fewer incorrect occupancies such as long-term parking compared to "restricted no-stopping zones", in which loading and unloading has always been permitted in accordance with road traffic regulations.

Where in Aachen are there already loading zones?

Click here for the map of loading zones and restricted no-stopping zones in Aachen.

The symbols within the blue markers indicate the locations with "restricted stopping bans" or "loading zones". The coloring (green - yellow - orange) of the road sections indicates the distance to the nearest restricted stopping zone or loading zone. The following applies:

• green = accessibility within 50 meters
• yellow = accessibility between 50 and 100 meters
• orange = accessibility between 100 and 200 meters

Loading zones with digital sensors

The city of Aachen is one of only a few cities in Germany to date that is also equipping loading zones with corresponding digital sensors as part of its extensive digitalization projects. The "live data" from the sensors records the occupancy status of the charging zone. Thanks to digital technology, incorrect occupancy can also be monitored and reduced via corresponding reports to the responsible regulatory authority. In the future, there are also plans to make selected loading zones bookable for delivery traffic as part of an evaluation project.

Sustainable urban logistics requires designated loading zones at critical road sections and points, which are used by commercial and private delivery traffic. The extremely scarce resource of public space with its high competition for use must also take these solutions into account for the benefit of all. It is a well-known fact that delivery traffic ensures, among other things, the security of supply of food and other goods in a city.

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