HGV measures working - Improvements being introduced
Bern, 11.01.2002 - The measures introduced on the Gotthard to regulate HGV traffic and improve safety are working. Waiting times fall within the intended limits. Further improvements will ensure that these limits are not exceeded even when traffic is heavy.
After a week of HGV traffic being regulated on the Gotthard, the Swiss Federal Roads Authority (FEDRO) considers that the results are positive. The system of alternating one-way traffic with a minimum separation distance of 150 metres is basically working and has helped to bring about an enormous increase in safety in the tunnel. For example, when traffic built up on Tuesday on the northern access, the problem was overcome by temporarily opening the advance waiting area in the canton of Nidwald. In both directions, waiting times for HGVs were no higher than the maximum provided for in the traffic regulation plan. The police in the canton of Uri report that traffic was cleared from the control station in Amsteg every evening. In the Ticino, on the other hand, a few trucks had to be held on a rest area on Wednesday night. In addition, HGV traffic has had to be diverted onto the San-Bernardino road at various times during the course of the day.
The FEDRO is still not completely satisfied with the maximum capacities achieved, Tuesday's figure being just 2 625 lorries as against a planned total of 3 500. The reasons for the shortfall include time lost through speed differences on the north ramp, breakdowns, irregularities (e.g. in checking vehicle heights) and a still imperfect synchronisation in sending the individual lorries from the control points. Accordingly, further improvements will be introduced jointly by the cantons of Uri and the Ticino in order to cope with the increased traffic expected over the coming weeks and to ensure that HGVs do not have to be held in the advance waiting areas for more than the planned maximum of six hours. In addition, the FEDRO intends to re-examine with the Ticino authorities the possibilities for setting up advance waiting areas, the canton having already given acceptance in principle to the new traffic system and its repercussions.
Moreover, the measures laid down in the original plan to channel HGV traffic to the customs posts in cooperation with the General Customs Department are now being fine-tuned. These measures, which should be ready for implementation by mid-February, will permit active channelling to control the heavier traffic expected on the A2 and A13. More particularly, drivers entering Switzerland will be instructed to leave the country via customs posts outside the Ticino as soon as the advance waiting areas are full. This strategy should relieve pressure on the Gotthard route and allow for better use to be made of the reserve capacity of about 500 HGVs per day on the alpine crossings in the Valais (Simplon, Great St. Bernhard). Drivers who fail to comply with the instructions given by the customs posts will be liable to a summons and a fine of CHF 5 000.
DETEC Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communication
For further information, please contact:
Michael Gehrken, Swiss Federal Roads Authority, 031 324 14 91.
Publisher
Federal Roads Authority
http://www.astra.admin.ch
