Traffic calming on Wilhelmsplatz: disruptions when dialing via telephone number
06.06.2023
The bollards on the side streets of Wilhelmsplatz, which were put into operation last week, are not yet working properly when used with a telephone number. Initially, there was a malfunction last Friday, June 2, which did not occur during the extensive test runs prior to commissioning. After the fault was rectified yesterday, the same problem arose again today, Tuesday, but could be solved again at short notice. As it cannot be ruled out that this fault will recur, the city of Offenbach is still in contact with the manufacturer to find the exact cause of the fault and rectify it. So far, however, the use of the transponder card has worked perfectly - only those authorized users who have opted to lower the bollards using their cell phone number are affected by the fault.
Head of Planning and Regulatory Affairs Paul-Gerhard WeißOf course, nobody is happy about initial problems. But they always occur with new technology, as is also known in other contexts with software or wireless solutions, for example with building technology or computers. In this case, there are problems with opening via smartphone. Unfortunately, despite testing in advance, these problems only occurred during continuous operation. Opening with the transponder card, on the other hand, works smoothly. Even though only a few people have access via cell phone, the bollards will of course remain down in the event of malfunctions until the problems have been resolved in the short term. The city is in close contact with the manufacturer to find a permanent solution to this specific problem. There are various approaches that could be used to eliminate the cause. This is now being tried out
Using a smartphone, authorized users can dial a telephone number provided to lower the bollards. The numbers of the authorized persons are stored in the software to ensure that the side road only opens when these stored telephone numbers are dialled. Alternatively, a transponder card can be requested from the public order office. This can be used without any problems.
Suppliers to the weekly market and the surrounding restaurants and stores will of course also have access. The city had informed all residents several times in advance, both in writing and via its own channels, about the forthcoming implementation of the traffic calming measures and about who can obtain access authorization and how this can be applied for from the public order office. Nobody has to stand at the bollards with the transponder card to deliver goods - the telephone number option can be used for this. This can be dialed from the business, for example. The public order office also informed traders and restaurateurs about this in advance and when they collected their access authorization.
Prior to commissioning, the city made extensive technical and organizational preparations with the manufacturer so that traffic calming could only be set up after these tests. "Technical problems often only become apparent during everyday use, as we know from many other situations," says Weiß.
Important: Even with the bollards lowered, the two side streets remain pedestrian zones - as indicated by the signage on site. It is still not permitted to drive through there! As before, only authorized residents, market vendors and commercial delivery traffic may enter the side streets. Access permits are issued by the public order office and checked by the city police.