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In a world that is constantly changing, lifelong learning is more than just a buzzword – it’s a necessity. This is especially true in dynamic areas such as sustainable mobility, where technologies, best practices and societal expectations are continuously evolving. At PLANUM, we take this challenge seriously and actively invest in the further training of our employees.

Mobility is a complex ecosystem, and walking is increasingly recognized as an important component, not just something you do. In order to meet this growing demand, Climate Alliance Austria has developed a specialized pedestrian traffic course. This intensive program, spread over 2×2 days, covers a wide range of topics – from the psychology of pedestrian traffic to innovative approaches to urban planning.

Our employee Paul Matteo Kofler has successfully completed the first part of the course. For us, this is a reason to celebrate and another step towards sustainable urban development. The participation underlines the importance of young people’s contribution to the mobility transition and represents a generation that is actively working to shape a sustainable future!

The knowledge gained in the course is of great value to us. They enable us to enrich our projects and initiatives in the field of sustainable mobility with fresh ideas and proven methods. We are more prepared than ever to develop innovative and effective solutions to the complex challenges of modern urban mobility.

We look forward to incorporating this newly acquired knowledge into our future projects!

Contact person:

Paul Kofler

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Feasibility Study on the Implementation of a Tram System in Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago)

For the feasibility study on the implementation of a streetcar system in the capital of Trinidad and Tobago Port of Spain, a detailed analysis of the mobility offer was made at the beginning. With the help of the resident institutions and ministries, data was gathered that made this analysis possible, and more was compiled through Internet research and in close consultation with the clients. The analysis resulted in a SWOT analysis, which was used as a basis for the development of the streetcar solution.

In a further step, forecasts for further development, in particular with regard to traffic development, were drawn up on the basis of population development. Assumptions were made about the current modal split, as there is no meaningful data on this. The clients agreed with the assumptions, which made it possible to calculate the displacement potential for the streetcar based on the forecasts made.

Finally, based on the forecasts and the displacement potential, rough cost calculations were made to assess whether the implementation of a streetcar system is profitable or not. The feasibility study was rounded out by a utility analysis comparing the streetcar system to the (congested) existing system and an expansion of the existing bus system. The calculations showed that it is worthwhile for Port of Spain to consider implementation, as it can bring social and economic benefits in addition to environmental effects.

Figure: Potential streetcar corridor through Port of Spain with connections to neighboring cities (PLANUM 2023 with data from opentopomap.org, 2023).

Figure: Benefit analysis for the streetcar system in Port of Spain (PLANUM 2023)

Contact person:

Anna-Sophie Klamminger, Kurt Fallast

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The gradual conversion of the one-way ring road in Gleisdorf (“Gleisdorfer Ring”) from two to one lane has made it possible to reuse the additional road space gained, which is being used to expand the pedestrian and cycle path infrastructure on the basis of the cycling concept of the Province of Styria. PLANUM was commissioned to perform the capacity tests with the support of a microsimulation of different scenarios for the reconstruction of the Gleisdorf one-way ring road.

The reconstruction will be carried out in several sections: the first section “Grazer-Straße – Neugasse” has already been implemented in 2022, the solution has proved to be very successful. In June 2023, the reconstruction of the second section on Schiller Street will begin. Furthermore, Ludwig-Binder-Strasse and the Florianiplatz/ Franz-Bloder-Gasse area are to follow as the third and fourth construction phases. Prior to the implementation of the respective construction section, the performance before and after the respective construction project is examined with the help of a traffic flow simulation, which accurately depicts the road network including all intersections in and around the one-way ring. Based on the simulations, neuralgic points can be identified in advance and attractive solutions for an unhindered traffic flow can be developed. After the implementation of the respective construction stage, the quality of the forecasts is evaluated by using cameras on site over a longer period of time by comparing the results of the video evaluations with the simulation results.


(PLANUM with data from Basemap 2023)

Queries:

DI Konstantin Mizera

Dr. Kurt Fallast

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These two areas of work form essential focal points of PLANUM’s expertise. The department is under the expertise of Franziska SPRACHMANN and Karoline SCHÖN.

The tasks cover a wide range of work from the processing of submission projects for residential, commercial and industrial buildings to environmental impact assessments and interdisciplinary issues in international research projects. The simulation of the noise situation for a planned development and use or for a road or railroad line are the typical fields of application of the simulation software IMMI in the respective current version. The model is calibrated using representative measurements. The predicted sound immissions can be used to optimize the arrangement of building structures or to dimension building components according to sound engineering requirements.

Figure 1: Noise study as the basis for a development plan

In the EU co-funded project CEFRABID we are investigating with partners from Poland, Spain and Cyprus the shielding and reflection effects of the combination of sound insulation and photovoltaic elements, as well as the optimization of sound insulation and energy generation.

Figure 2 CEFRABID project

Figure 3: Use of the acoustic camera for building analysis

 

For complex acoustic situations and for the renovation of residential and commercial buildings, or for the optimization of shielding measures, our Acoustic Camera is used. For example, locations with low insulating properties or highly reflective surfaces can be analyzed. For vehicles and machines, the main noise sources are identified and problem-oriented noise control measures are developed on this basis.

 

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions:
Dipl.Ing. Dr. Kurt Fallast
Franziska Sprachmann
Karoline Schön, MSc.

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Multimodal and environmentally friendly.

In the spirit of multimobility, the 2021 company outing led to Carinthia, PLANUM’s second location in the center of Klagenfurt. By bus, train, on foot, boat and e-scooter, our employees were on the road for a day.

We arrived in the provincial capital from Graz by ÖBB bus via Wolfsberg after 2 hours (from December 2025, with the opening of the Koralm railroad connection, it will only take 45 minutes! This will bring the PLANUM locations even closer together). After a short ride on the train, we walked to the boat landing on Lake Wörthersee. Leisurely at breakfast we were on the way to Pörtschach. There an exciting lecture from SURAAA project manager Walter Prutej about autonomous driving was waiting for us. Pörtschach currently has the only autonomous scheduled bus in Austria. The tingles through the center of Pörtschach to the train station and back.
The planned test drive in the 8-seater was postponed because the bus sensors are still a bit sensitive to rain showers. This technology is still in the development phase, but it will clearly have a lasting impact on our mobility future. Contrary to the forecasts, we headed for the southern shore of Lake Wörthersee in sunshine on the deck of the ship, complete with beer. From Reifnitz we went by bus to the Pyramidenkogel– with the highest wooden tower (100m) in the world. After 441 steps we reached the highest viewing platform at 67 m and were rewarded with a breathtaking view in all directions.

Besides the beauty of Carinthia with its mountains and lakes, as well as the view to the borders of the neighboring countries Italy and Slovenia, it became apparent that foresight is necessary to recognize new perspectives and possibilities for the future. This view also shapes the work of PLANUM and its employees in the fields of mobility, spatial planning and environment. Using the tower’s slide, we all arrived safely at the bottom in seconds. We always take the direct route where possible. Afterwards we ended the day comfortably at the new office location (since August 1, 2021) at Domplatz.

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As a planning office that is intensively involved with the mobility of the future, PLANUM supports the introduction of the Austria Ticket. Of course, since October 26, PLANUM’s management has been using the climate ticket when traveling by public transport.

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The goal of the AIRBILITY research project is to investigate various issues related to the integration of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) into the overall transportation system.

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With Saturday, September 25, starts in the Postgasse in the Villacher
city center an exciting project: Under the motto “Tactical Mobilism”.
the Postgasse will be transformed into a pedestrian zone until October 8.