In 2023, 62 km of pedestrian paths were arranged and installed in the city, and another 66 km are planned for 2024. During the morning peak, about 10-15% of Vilnius residents use these paths, and during the day this number increases a little more. The question arises – what future awaits pedestrians in the city of Vilnius?
“We encourage walking by changing messy footpaths or installing missing sections. Quiet traffic zones are also implemented in apartment blocks, ensuring safety for pedestrians. A pedestrian path and a bicycle path were recently installed on P. Vileišio St., and the streets are being paved and the sidewalks are also being modernized. This year Panerių g., Tolimios g. and St. Stefano st. paths,” Indrė Ivanauskaitė, JUDU expert, tells about the pedestrian infrastructure.
in 2023 new sidewalks and bicycle paths were installed: in Fabijoniškės L. Giros st. (1.4 km), at the junction of Karoliniškiu and Žvērynos, T. Narbuto str. (3.1 km), Žirmūnai Kareivius St. (0.6 km) and in Lazdynai Laisvės Ave. (0.6 km). A bicycle street and new sidewalks have been installed on the left bank of the Neris, connecting Antakalni with the center on P. Vileišios street (3.5 km). Žvěryne, Miglos st. a shared bicycle-pedestrian path (1 km) has been installed.
“The popularity of the pedestrian links across the Neris is noticeable, especially the White Bridge, through which as many as 918 people cross per hour during the evening peak. Although the Green Bridge is vehicular, it also receives extremely high pedestrian traffic on a regular basis. On the other hand, more than half of the daily trips are made within the boroughs – when the place of residence and work is in the neighborhood. The busiest routes between the boroughs are Lazdynai – Senamiesti, Žirmūnai – Šnipiškii and Žvēryna – Šnipiškii trails,” the JUDU expert teaches.
Infrastructure for walking – less waiting
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By improving the pedestrian infrastructure, the goal is that by 2030, 30% of Vilnius residents will choose to make their daily trips on foot. For example, in Vilnius, the waiting time for pedestrians at traffic lights is reduced. Currently, the city has 132 traffic lights regulating pedestrian crossings and intersections where waiting times have been reduced – the average waiting time has already decreased by 30% to 33.5 seconds between 2021 and now.
For the convenience of residents, priority is given to the central city area, but the waiting time is also shortened in the central city area. The aim is to make daily journeys easier for residents by shortening the time where residences connect to business, entertainment, cultural or service centers. However, at some intersections, due to the intensity of traffic and the complicated management of traffic lights, it is not possible to reduce the waiting time for pedestrians. Ukmergė – Geležinio Vilko, Žalgiris – Geležinio Vilko and all Kareivius g. intersections receive heavy vehicular traffic, so it is still a challenge to change the behavior of traffic lights at these locations.
Studies show that Vilnius residents spend about 25 minutes moving from home to their place of employment (for example, work, educational institutions). The growth of walking trips is visible in Justiniškii borough, but the change is small, just 1.7%, while the number in other boroughs is only decreasing.
Pedestrian safety
The JUDU expert reminds us that road traffic rules are important for the safety of pedestrians: “You can cross the road on foot only through crosswalks, and where there are none, at intersections along the sidewalks or roadsides. It is forbidden to use a mobile phone when crossing the road and you must look around, and you must also wear a reflector when walking in the dark. Prohibition of walking on cycle paths – this problem remains relevant, pedestrians continue to use them, putting themselves and cyclists at risk. It is noticed that parents with small children also walk along the bike paths, whose care needs to be paid extra attention.”
About JUDU
JUDU is responsible for organizing public transport services, parking infrastructure in the city and promoting sustainable ways of traveling. In 2023, more than 193.5 thousand people used public transport services every day. passengers who rated their trips by trolleybus or bus with 8.65 points out of 10, this is the highest rating since 2015. The company also ensures the smooth organization of city traffic and, together with the Vilnius City Municipality, implements innovative solutions that create a walkable city of Vilnius.
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2024-09-06 02:12:14
The Future of Pedestrian Paths in Vilnius: Enhancements and Innovations for 2023 and Beyond
In recent years, Vilnius has seen significant improvements to its pedestrian infrastructure, aiming to create a more walkable city for its residents. In 2023 alone, 62 kilometers of pedestrian paths were arranged and installed, with an additional 66 kilometers planned for 2024. This ambitious expansion reflects Vilnius’s commitment to promoting walking as a primary mode of transportation. Currently, during the morning peak, approximately 10-15% of residents utilize these paths, and this number sees a slight increase throughout the day. So, what does the future hold for pedestrians in the capital of Lithuania?
Enhancing Pedestrian Infrastructure
The city has been proactive in enhancing its pedestrian infrastructure through various initiatives. Indrė Ivanauskaitė, a JUDU expert, emphasizes the importance of transforming messy footpaths and addressing missing sections to ensure pedestrian safety. Notable projects include the recent installation of a pedestrian and bicycle path on P. Vileišio St. and ongoing modernization of several streets and sidewalks throughout the city. By focusing on areas like Panerių g., Tolimios g., and St. Stefano St., Vilnius is investing in infrastructure that prioritizes pedestrian comfort and safety.
In 2023, new sidewalks and bicycle paths were established in various neighborhoods, including Fabijoniškės, Lazdynai, and Žirmūnai. Notably, a bicycle street and new pathways on the left bank of the Neris now connect Antakalnis with the city center, facilitating smoother transit for both cyclists and pedestrians.
Popularity of Pedestrian Walkways
The demand for pedestrian links across the Neris river is evident, particularly with the White Bridge, which experiences high foot traffic of approximately 918 people per hour during the evening peak. While the Green Bridge accommodates vehicular traffic, it also sees a significant number of pedestrians daily. More than half of Vilnius’s daily trips occur within neighborhoods, indicating a strong preference for local commuting. The busiest pedestrian routes between boroughs include Lazdynai to Senamiestis, Žirmūnai to Šnipiškiai, and Žvēryna to Šnipiškiai trails.
Infrastructure for Walking – A Vision for 2030
The city aims to have 30% of Vilnius residents choosing to walk for their daily trips by 2030. One of the crucial steps in this direction is the reduction of waiting times at traffic lights. With 132 traffic lights controlling pedestrian crossings, significant improvements have been made, reducing average waiting times by 30%, now standing at approximately 33.5 seconds. Although priority is given to central areas, reducing waiting times remains challenging at heavily trafficked intersections like Ukmergė and Geležinio Vilko.
Current studies indicate that Vilnius residents typically spend about 25 minutes commuting from home to their places of employment or education. While there has been a slight increase in walking trips, particularly in the Justiniškės borough at just 1.7%, the overall trend shows a decrease in other areas, highlighting the need for continued improvement in pedestrian infrastructure.
Ensuring Pedestrian Safety
Safety is paramount in the continued development of pedestrian paths. The JUDU expert underscores the importance of adhering to road traffic regulations for pedestrian safety. Key guidelines include crossing only at designated crosswalks, avoiding mobile phone usage while crossing, and wearing reflectors when walking after dark. Unfortunately, the misuse of bicycle paths by pedestrians remains a concern, especially regarding parents with small children, requiring awareness and vigilance from all users.
JUDU’s Role in the Future of Vilnius
JUDU plays a critical role in organizing public transport services, managing parking infrastructure, and promoting sustainable travel options in the city. In 2023, public transport usage exceeded 193,500 passengers daily, with services receiving the highest satisfaction rating since 2015. This achievement reflects JUDU’s commitment to improving the overall urban landscape of Vilnius, alongside the city municipality’s efforts to create an increasingly walkable environment.
Conclusion
As Vilnius continues to invest in its pedestrian infrastructure, the future looks promising for those who choose to traverse the city on foot. With ongoing enhancements, a vision to increase pedestrian traffic, and a steadfast commitment to safety, Vilnius is poised to become a more inclusive and accessible urban landscape, enriching the quality of life for all its residents. The journey towards a walkable city is underway, and the positive changes observed so far are just the beginning.
