The Ministry of Transport of Communications plans to implement cycle streets and to organise traffic of special and public transport more effectively
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Transport and Communications will submit an updated project of the Road Traffic Rules (RTR) to the Government for consideration and approval. It suggests implementing a new road sign “Cycle Street”, organising traffic of special transport more effectively, arranging separate traffic lights for scheduled transport and clearing entries to yards.
Once approved by the Government, these RTR changes would take effect from 2022.
“We want to provide the pedestrians, cyclists and public transport with more possibilities and freedom to move within the cities so that this would primarily be convenient for the citizens. Having assessed the good practices of the foreign countries and considering the ongoing changes in the whole transport sector and ambiguous interpretation of some situations on the road by the drivers, we have initiated changes of the Road Traffic Rules. I have no doubt that once they are implemented, mobility within cities will be more convenient, safe and easier for everyone,” said Minister of Transport and Communications Marius Skuodis.
“We are creating a city for everyone to move conveniently – pedestrians, cyclists, those travelling by public transport and cars. Therefore, we are happy that the project of the Ministry of Transport and Communications includes at least two suggestions of the Municipality – the “Cycle Street” and traffic lights for public transport that Vilnius citizens will see once they are implemented,” said Mayor of Vilnius Remigijus Šimašius.
After the organisation of traffic of special means of transport with blue and red (or only blue) lights and special audible signals on is changed, special services will reach the place of accident approximately 4 minutes faster.
Once it is prohibited to park at the intersections of streets and exits from yards, road visibility will increase, potential accidents will be avoided while leaving yards, no inconveniences will be caused to other road users when the entrance to the yard is blocked by vehicles and the traffic becomes complicated not only for vehicles, but also for pedestrians.
Experts also note that some of the drivers of electric vehicles do not immediately drive away after recharging their vehicle. This reduces the accessibility to charging points for other drivers. Therefore, it is proposed to establish a requirement for electric vehicle drivers to remove the recharged vehicle immediately from the electric vehicle charging point.
From 1 June 2022, RTR changes will establish a new method of traffic management – cycle streets. The aim is to facilitate the traffic for cyclists, to encourage citizens to choose means of transport within cities alternative to cars. Cycle streets will be marked with a special sign, they can be implemented in streets with calm and slow traffic where mixed traffic of motor and non-motor vehicles would be organised. The maximum speed on a cycle street will be 30 km/h, it will not be allowed to overtake other means of transport by entering the lane of traffic travelling in the opposite direction, and cyclists will not be required to drive in a single file closer to the right edge. This measure will allow more effective planning of a seamless network of cycling paths where there is no possibility to construct separate cycling paths or lanes.
In order to have more people choose public transport and other less polluting means of travelling, two types of lanes for scheduled transport will be implemented and marked with A and A+. Only scheduled transport will be allowed to use the lane marked with A, separate white traffic lights will be erected for scheduled transport and other road users will not be able to rely on them.
Besides scheduled transport, other vehicles will be able to use the lane marked with A+: bicycles, mopeds and light quadricycles, also cars marked with the “Disabled” sign or a disabled person's parking card, with disabled persons travelling in them to an educational establishment or leaving it or to a disability day care centre or leaving it, after coordinating the route with the owner of the road. In addition, by decision of the owner of the road (the municipality), the lane marked with A+ could be used accordingly by taxis, cars with four or more road users, electric vehicles and motorcycles.
RTR changes will also cancel the use of road signs “Internet” and “Radio Station” as their use has become irrelevant. In addition, new road signs will be included in the RTR: “Motor Bicycle Traffic Prohibited” and “Residential Vehicle Traffic Prohibited”, new horizontal marking will be implemented – the images of warning signs on the parts of the road marked with “Children” and “Pedestrian Crossing”.
Last updated: 14-09-2021
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