Cleaner and better air in Offenbach - this is the goal of the city's local clean air plan. One of the measures from the city-wide catalog favors so-called traffic liquefaction through traffic-dependent digital traffic light control. As part of this measure, the traffic light control systems on three of the six highly congested stretches of road in Offenbach have now been modernized so that they can react to the respective traffic volume. This should avoid unnecessary stops and reduce nitrogen oxide emissions.
The modernization of a traffic light system includes replacing the control unit, retrofitting the detection equipment (hardware) and adapting the signal control (software). In addition, the traffic flow is improved by optimizing the "green wave". The systems on Berliner Straße, a section of the southern ring road between Lämmerspieler Weg and Waldstraße and Mainstraße were retrofitted. The conversion of a single junction is very complex and cost-intensive. However, each conversion contributes to environmentally friendly and city-friendly traffic management.
Since March 2021, Mainstrasse (around 1.1 kilometers from Arthur-Zitscherstrasse to Kaiserstrasse), Waldstrasse (around 130 meters from Geleitsstrasse to Bleichstrasse) and Kaiserstrasse (a good 150 meters from Geleitsstrasse to Große Marktstrasse) have also had a permanent speed limit of 40 km/h. Driving at a steady speed of 40 kilometers per hour avoids frequent gear changes and acceleration, thereby reducing additional fuel consumption and pollutant emissions. In combination with the new digital traffic control (of traffic lights), which takes into account the amount of traffic at junctions, emissions can be reduced more than at higher or lower speeds. In addition to 40 km/h and traffic liquefaction, the city of Offenbach is also focusing on expanding the cycling infrastructure, strengthening public transport and electrifying the bus fleet.
The "traffic liquefaction" measure is part of the extensive catalog of measures to reduce nitrogen oxides and is funded by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport through the "Clean Air" immediate action program. Among other things, the immediate action programme focused on supporting measures to digitalize municipal transport systems.