From 2026: Camera Systems to Minimize Traffic in City Centers
A renewal of the Road Traffic Regulations (StVO) is intended to enable the calming of traffic in city centers with camera-based access management in the future. The corresponding amendment is being sent to government coordination by Transport Minister Peter Hanke (SPÖ), he announced in a press release on Sunday.
Vienna, in particular, had been demanding a data protection-compliant basis from the federal government for years to create entry restrictions in the first district.
Camera Systems to Enable Access Management in City Centers from 2026
Camera-based systems have long been in use in Austria, for example in toll collection, section control, and entry and exit systems in parking garages. With the amendment to the StVO, the federal government is creating the legal framework for automated access management. The specific design of the implementation will be up to the cities and municipalities. The goal is for the amendment to come into force on January 1, 2026.
"With this amendment, we are consistently implementing the government program and creating the opportunity for municipalities to design traffic-calmed zones more effectively," emphasized Hanke. "This increases the quality of life and stay in Austria's municipalities and creates more space for living."
Vienna and Other Cities Interested
More than 25 cities have expressed interest in such an amendment. "I am particularly pleased that the traffic-calmed Inner City, for which we have advocated for so long, is now becoming a reality," explained Vienna's Mayor and President of the Association of Cities, Michael Ludwig (SPÖ), in the joint announcement. "With the introduction of electronic access management according to European standards, we are creating a city center that offers space for greenery, cooling, attractive pedestrian and bicycle paths, as well as inviting areas to stay."
"The increased quality of stay and better pedestrian accessibility benefit not only the residents but also the local businesses," noted Vienna Chamber of Commerce President Walter Ruck. However, the space freed up on the surface must also be available for short-term parking. NEOS Vienna club chairwoman Selma Arapovic emphasized that since the coalition took office with the Vienna SPÖ, a traffic-calmed Inner City has been demanded, "with the amendment of the Road Traffic Act, the legal framework for this is finally being created."
Mixed reactions from Vienna opposition parties
"The future city government must quickly implement the project in constructive cooperation between residents, business people, and visitors to the Inner City," responded Vienna ÖVP leader Karl Mahrer in a press release. It is clear that traffic relief must not come at the expense of the business operators in the Inner City.
The Greens, as the second-largest opposition party in Vienna, criticized the wait for cameras as an "excuse" and election campaign maneuvering. "The traffic calming of Vienna's inner city could have been implemented long ago," said mobility spokesperson Kilian Stark. "It is finally time for Vienna to follow suit."
On the other hand, Vienna FPÖ chairman Dominik Nepp saw an "attack on entrepreneurs." "Even older people with limited mobility will be denied access to the inner city in the future," he feared a "car ban." The surrounding districts would also be massively parked up and thus additionally burdened.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.