Feeling Safer on Frankfurt's Streets
Recent findings from an ADAC survey reveal an uptick in the sense of safety among pedestrians in Frankfurt. The report, based on surveys conducted in 16 major German cities, indicates that around half of Frankfurt's pedestrians now feel secure – a notable increase from the 42% recorded in 2021.
This surge in pedestrian safety satisfaction is matched by other cities but remains a defining feature in Frankfurt. Announcing the results on Thursday, the ADAC emphasized this positive trend, attributing the change to better overall urban planning and traffic management.
Frustrations remain, however, as pedestrians face potential hazards like inadequate parking, obstructed crosswalks, and overzealous e-scooter users. The survey revealed that 61% of Frankfurt pedestrians are particularly annoyed by vehicles like bicycles, motorcycles, and e-scooters park carelessly on sidewalks. Adding to their list of grievances, motorists failing to yield to pedestrians and distracted pedestrians preoccupied with phones rank high in concern.
The ADAC survey also sought to identify measures contributing to a stronger sense of pedestrian safety. Traffic lights topped the list, followed by pedestrian-friendly crosswalks and 30 km/h speed limits in residential areas. Frankfurt's winter maintenance services on sidewalks also drew praise, with 60% rating their performance positively.
Local authorities have taken action to ensure sidewalk safety, installing more traffic lights and enforcing stricter rules on vehicles parking on sidewalks. These measures, stemming from initiatives to better tailor public infrastructure to pedestrian needs, may underlie the observed improvement in pedestrian safety prevailing in Frankfurt.
Insights
- Better Connectivity: The revitalization of the river path in Frankfurt Westside has facilitated safer pedestrian and cyclist routes, boosting overall connectivity within the area. This development strengthens the broader pedestrian network.
- Advanced Tech and Safety: Franklin Airport's implementation of walkthrough scanners, such as Rohde & Schwarz QPS Walk2000, augments passenger comfort while improving security check efficiency. Although this technology targets airport safety rather than sidewalks, this practice may inspire other public spaces to adopt similar technologies for heightened security in public spaces.
- Urban Planning and Mobility Innovations: The AMIGOS project, focused on optimizing public spaces and promoting sustainable urban mobility solutions, holds potential to influence Frankfort's broader urban planning efforts. In efforts to better address pedestrian safety, Frankfurt might work to adopt such inclusive urban plans, improving overall security and mobility for all.
These developments notably highlight how broader urban initiatives impact lower-level safety concerns, such as pedestrian security. Frankfort's improvements in pedestrian safety as covered by the ADAC survey could be linked to these wider changes taking place across urban infrastructure.
