One-way traffic
The term one-way street (deprecated also: Organisation Street ) or one-way ( in Austria ) denotes a road in which vehicles can only move in one direction. By means of signposting of road users is drawn to these traffic control. The one-way rule applies to the entire vehicular traffic, cyclists can, however, by additional signs the ride be released against the one-way street. A basic distinction is between a real and a fake one-way street. Although loggerhead way streets prohibit the entrance on one side, but may only be driven within in both directions. The opposite of a one-way street is the oncoming traffic - or two-way street.
The principle of one-way street was already known in ancient Rome and has been used there for the regulation of traffic within the narrow lanes of the city. The first one-way street of modern times was established on 23 August 1617 in London. Because of increased traffic, the then Chief of Police of Berlin Traugott von Jagow in Berlin-Mitte set up the first one-way street for automobiles in Germany: The Friedrichstrasse could be traveled between Unter den Linden and Behrenstraße only in southern direction.
Purpose
A one-way street may be established for the following reasons:
- Preserving the flow of traffic on narrow roads and high traffic volume,
- Enabling additional parking spaces for motor vehicles, without the flowing traffic causing too much impact ( this may be in densely built-up ( residential) areas the most common reason ),
- Reduction of through traffic (so-called Slow traffic) by detour rich guide ( traffic calming )
- Enabling high speeds by reducing the risk of collision with oncoming traffic ( for example: highways ) and
- Avoid the risk of accidents by complex traffic situations.
Legal regulations
The driving behavior within a one-way street and the signs are regulated in the road traffic laws or regulations referred to therein (eg road traffic regulations, traffic regulations ) of the respective countries and are largely applied uniformly worldwide. Due to a traffic sign with arrow pictograms and possibly marking the road users, the direction of one-way display. The prohibition of entrance (entry ban) in the opposite direction is usually with a locking bar ( " Money Boxes sign" ) or a crossed arrow ( for example: Ireland ) marked. The reverse, with the exception of parking or reversing is not allowed in one-way streets. Emergency vehicles may be exempt from these regulations. In addition, in a one-way street parking be allowed in exceptional cases on the left, for example, in Germany ( § 12 Highway Code ).
Is the use of approved contrary to the one-way street, for example, for cyclists and buses, this will be released with the help of an additional character. In Germany a share for cycling on the pavement of a one-way done when the one-way street is wide enough, the speed limit is a maximum of 30 km / h and no confusing intersections lie in it. Similar provisions exist in Switzerland, the Netherlands ( see picture above ), Denmark and other countries. In addition, a driving against the one-way direction on their own surfaces are possible, for example, on a bike path or a labeled or parking stalls from the road separated bike lanes. At intersections, however, this can lead to accidents if motorists out of the side roads are not made sufficiently clear this scheme.
In Austria, the driving is in the opposite direction only allowed by emergency vehicles, if the location should be reached otherwise not, or not in the necessary time.
Roundabouts and motorways ( carriageway ) are not strictly one-way streets in the strict sense, since the corresponding signs missing. The traffic rules define, however, for this road one way traffic.
- Signs in the countries of D -A -CH
Note number 10 one-way direction of travel right in Austria
A labeled One Way there is not in Switzerland
353 one-way street signs in Germany
Note number 7 End of oncoming traffic in Austria
267 characters prohibition of entry into Germany
Regulatory signs 2 Trespassing in Austria
Regulation signal 2:02 Trespassing in Switzerland
Criticism and disadvantages
Critics criticize the unnecessary over-regulation of inner-city traffic due to the establishment of one-way streets. It may be incurred long detour routes and thus result in some places new traffic loads. Particularly sensitive detour road users such as cyclists, wheelchair at a non-clearance for the trip in the opposite direction. It should be noted however, that not every one-way street can be released for bicycle traffic in the opposite direction.
Due to carelessness ( confusing signage ) or intent may lead to false trips in the opposite direction. By appropriate flashy signage or other structural measures attempting this problem counteract.
One-way streets with alternating direction of travel
In Hamburg there is a spurious one-way street, on the time of day the direction is changed. In the stretch of road Herbert soft -Straße - Sierichstraße you can from 4 clock in the morning and 12 clock noon only towards the city and from 12 noon clock and 4 clock in the morning only enter of town.
The Messeschnellweg in Hanover, for example, regulated for the arrival and departure traffic during major trade fairs in many parts as one-way street.