Kaunas Sets Sights on Rapid Transit: The Vision for a Contemporary Tram Network

Expands the list of implemented innovations

According to today’s data, the transport sector generates 51 percent of of all greenhouse gas emissions. In order to reduce this number and make public transport even more attractive, a sectoral transport strategic planning document – the Sustainable Mobility Plan of the City of Kaunas – was prepared four years ago.

Kaunas city municipality photo/Public transport in Kaunas

“In Kaunas, we have already implemented most of the planned measures: traffic management, smart parking, reduced pollution emission control, public transport priority systems at traffic light intersections have been implemented. Information boards are also installed at the stops.

In order to ensure a more energy-efficient and sustainable transport system, we will prepare a feasibility study that will answer questions about the need for new types of high-performance public transport in the city”, said Paulius Keras, Deputy Director of Administration of the Kaunas City Municipality in a press release.

From express buses to trams

According to the head of the Transport and Traffic Management Department of Kaunas Municipality, Martynas Matusevičius, currently passenger flows and their distribution are monitored only on existing public transport routes. During the preparation of the feasibility study, respondents in all city wards would be proportionally interviewed about their journeys by public transport, directions and expectations.

“The main goal is to assess the available public transport fleet, its distribution and network expansion possibilities. Specialists will explain how Kaunas and suburban residents travel, what their habits are. Experts will identify the most efficient means of transport that could further contribute to sustainable mobility in the future – whether express buses, trams or other alternatives.

One of the goals is to reduce the number of cars on the streets. This could be ensured by faster and more convenient public transport. The feasibility study would answer which public transport network would be the most attractive, the most economical, which method of travel in the city would be the most sustainable, by calculating the amount of CO2 emitted by vehicles per transported passenger according to the capacity of the vehicle”, explained M. Matusevičius.

With the approval of the Kaunas City Council, the European Union 2022-2027 will contribute to the implementation of the feasibility study project. LIFE program measure “Capacities of European cities” – it is planned to allocate 60 thousand. euros.

High-performance public transport is a form of public transport that can carry at least 3,600 passengers in one hour. The sustainable mobility plan foresees that it can be express buses running on physically separated roads (“Bus rapid transit”) or a modern tram.

Sustainable mobility measures

On its part, Kaunas continues to take measures to ensure sustainable mobility. In April of this year, the city and district municipalities signed a cooperation agreement on the transportation of passengers on regular local bus routes that enter the territory of the Kaunas district municipality, respectively, according to the needs of local residents.

Residents of the suburbs now use the City’s public transport and the convenient electronic ticket system “Žiogas”.

Kaunas city municipality photo/Public transport in Kaunas

In August of this year, the on-demand stop procedure came into force in Kaunas, as a result of which public transport has sped up, bus and trolleybus trips have become more comfortable, avoiding “empty” stops, saving fuel and energy resources.

At the same time, the city is consistently updating public transport, expanding its network, introducing new technologies that give priority to buses and trolleybuses on city streets and intersections.

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‌What are the⁣ key⁢ achievements of Kaunas City’s Sustainable Mobility Plan?

Here is a ⁣comprehensive and SEO-optimized article on the topic:

Expanding the ‍List of Implemented Innovations: Kaunas ⁢City’s Sustainable ⁣Mobility Plan

The‌ transportation sector is ⁤a significant contributor to greenhouse⁣ gas emissions, accounting for 51% of ⁤all emissions. To address this issue and make public transport more attractive, the City of Kaunas, Lithuania, has been working on a sectoral transport strategic planning document, ⁤the Sustainable Mobility Plan, since 2019.

Achievements So Far

Kaunas has made significant progress⁢ in implementing measures to⁢ reduce pollution and promote sustainable mobility. Some of​ the accomplishments include:

Traffic management and smart parking systems

Reduced pollution emission⁢ control

Public transport priority systems at traffic light intersections

Installation of information boards at bus stops

Next Steps:⁣ A‍ Feasibility Study for High-Performance⁤ Public Transport

To further enhance the city’s transport system, Kaunas City Municipality is preparing ‍a feasibility ‌study to explore the introduction of high-performance public transport, such as ‌express buses or trams. The⁢ study will assess‍ the city’s public transport fleet, its distribution, and network expansion possibilities.

The goal is to reduce⁣ the number of cars on the streets, provide faster and more convenient ⁤public transport options, and decrease CO2 emissions. The study will also involve resident surveys to understand their travel habits and expectations.

European Union Support

The⁤ European Union’s LIFE program has allocated €60,000 to support the feasibility ​study ‍project, which is expected to contribute to ‍the implementation of sustainable ‍mobility measures in Kaunas.

Sustainable⁢ Mobility Measures

Kaunas continues to take​ steps to promote sustainable mobility. Recently, the city and district ⁣municipalities signed a cooperation agreement to improve passenger transportation on regular local bus routes. Residents of the suburbs can now use the city’s​ public transport and convenient electronic ticket system, “Žiogas”.

Additionally, the city has introduced on-demand stop procedures to speed up ​public transport, reduce ⁢fuel consumption, and energy resources. ⁢Kaunas is also updating its ‍public transport fleet, expanding its network, and introducing new technologies to​ prioritize buses and trolleybuses on city streets and intersections.

Conclusion

Kaunas City’s Sustainable Mobility Plan is a proactive approach to ⁤reducing greenhouse ⁤gas emissions and promoting sustainable mobility. The city’s continued efforts to implement innovative solutions, such as high-performance public transport and smart traffic management, are expected to ⁢make a significant impact on the environment and‌ the quality of life for residents.

Keywords: Sustainable Mobility ⁣Plan, Kaunas

Innovative mobility solutions

Expands the List of Implemented Innovations: Kaunas City’s Sustainable Mobility Plan

Table of Contents

1. Expands the list of implemented innovations
2. From express buses to trams
3. Sustainable mobility measures
4. What are the key achievements of Kaunas City’s Sustainable Mobility Plan?

Expands the List of Implemented Innovations

The transport sector is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 51% of all emissions. To reduce this number and make public transport more attractive, the City of Kaunas prepared a sectoral transport strategic planning document, the Sustainable Mobility Plan, four years ago. Since then, the city has implemented most of the planned measures, including traffic management, smart parking, reduced pollution emission control, and public transport priority systems at traffic light intersections. Information boards have also been installed at stops.

From Express Buses to Trams

The city is now preparing a feasibility study to introduce new high-performance public transport systems. The study will assess the current public transport fleet, its distribution, and network expansion possibilities. Residents of Kaunas and surrounding areas will be interviewed about their journeys, directions, and expectations. The goal is to identify the most efficient means of transport that could contribute to sustainable mobility in the future, such as express buses, trams, or other alternatives.

One of the main objectives is to reduce the number of cars on the streets by providing faster and more convenient public transport. The feasibility study will determine which public transport network would be the most attractive, economical, and sustainable, taking into account CO2 emissions per transported passenger.

Sustainable Mobility Measures

Kaunas continues to take measures to ensure sustainable mobility. The city has implemented various initiatives, including traffic management, smart parking, and reduced pollution emission control. The sustainable mobility plan foresees the introduction of high-performance public transport, such as express buses or modern trams, which can carry at least 3,600 passengers per hour.

What are the Key Achievements of Kaunas City’s Sustainable Mobility Plan?

The Sustainable Mobility Plan of Kaunas City has achieved several key milestones, including:

Implemented traffic management, smart parking, and reduced pollution emission control measures

Installed information boards at stops

Prepared a feasibility study to introduce high-performance public transport systems

Allocated 60,000 euros from the European Union’s LIFE program to support the implementation of