Vienna City in Focus: Cameras will soon monitor access roads!

Vienna City in Focus: Cameras will soon monitor access roads!

Taking big steps towards a traffic-calmed inner city, the new amendment to the road traffic regulations (StVO) in Vienna is bringing a breath of fresh air. The focus is on an extensive camera system that will soon monitor the approaches to the city center. This measure is intended to drastically reduce daily traffic in the inner city, which will not only benefit residents but also increase the quality of life. How meinkreis.at reported, stays with four-wheeled vehicles will be limited to a maximum of 30 minutes, but motorcycles will be left out.

The amendment, which was presented by ÖVP transport spokesman Joachim Schnabel, not only provides for new additional signs and marked zones, but will also reduce the number of access roads along the ring from 34 to 26. The goal is to keep around 15,700 cars out of the city center every day and to reduce parking space utilization by a whopping 23 percent.

Legal framework and implementation

The legal basis for these changes is aimed at enabling automated access management. The federal government under Mobility Minister Peter Hanke has sent the amendment to the government coordination with the plan that it will come into force on January 1, 2026. It is noteworthy that over 25 cities in Austria have already expressed interest in similar measures, indicating a nationwide need for traffic calming 5min.at highlights.

Another important aspect of the amendment is the installation of cameras in garages in order to exempt residents and users of public garages from the 30-minute rule. Single-lane motorized vehicles, on the other hand, are not monitored because they are considered to have a lower impact on traffic volume.

Residents’ wishes and impact on the economy

District leader Markus Figl underlines the urgent wishes of residents for clear access regulations. The measures are not only aimed at improving the quality of life, but are also intended to benefit restaurants and commerce in the city center. Vienna Chamber of Commerce President Walter Ruck emphasizes that these changes will benefit both residents and local businesses. “The space should also be used for short-term parking,” said Ruck, which would support the accessibility of the city center.

In order to effectively implement the new regulations, the introduction of the traffic-calmed city system is not expected until 2028 at the earliest. Until then, both tenders and the installation of the cameras are essential. This strategy promises noise reduction and less traffic jams, an aspect that is highly valued by both residents and traffic experts bmimi.gv.at reported.

In summary, it can be said that with the upcoming amendment, Vienna is taking a bold step towards a quieter, more liveable city center. The coming months will show how these measures are received in practice and what changes they will bring to the city's residents and visitors.