[5.6] Accessibilities21

Urban Mobility Plan
[Domain: Policy & Integration]

Traffic in Almada doubled between 1996 and 2001, affecting particularly the areas of access into town in rush hour. It also had a negative impact on residential and commercial areas. The growing number of residents and workers in the Council caused the traffic increases. Other aggravating factors were the growing number of families with car in the region and the extra 2 lanes in the main connection with Lisbon, the 25th April Bridge. Around 35 thousand vehicles per day cross residential areas in the Council on their way to neighbouring Lisbon or Seixal. There are 140 thousand vehicles in the city centre but in many areas it is impossible to increase the capacity of the roads. This enormous volume of traffic generates unsustainable levels of pollution and noise, creates severe road safety problems and degrades the public space.

This situation was makes it ever more urgent to control and manage the use of the car, simultaneously creating feasible alternatives to access the town. To end this reality will only be possible if car use is rationalised and each one of us changes its attitude.

The offer of public transport, the creation of areas were one can walk and ride a bike in comfort and safety, the control of illegal parking, building parking lots in the ends of town and regenerating public space are all part of the proposals to be implemented in short-medium term. These will take place with the new South Tagus Light Rail (MST) and the progressive implementation of Accessibilities 21.

This is the first global study of urban mobility and accessibilities concluded at national level and with measures applied. The steps of its conception included the analysis and diagnose of road circulation, parking and public transports in the Council of Almada (with traffic counts, analysis of crossings and lanes, traffic light system used, amongst other aspects).

The objectives of the application of the Plan Accessibilities 21 include reaching a sustainable mobility in Almada, a better quality of life, regenerated public spaces, less pollution and more safety, stimulation of the use of public transports and soft modes, better accessibilities for all and the guarantee of the integration of the MST in the city. The integration of a fast, accessible, safe, effective and environmentally friendly such as the MST is the key for the improvement of mobility in the south bank, having also been one of the motivations for the elaboration of the Plan.

Another goal of this plan is the concept of multimodality of circulation. According to this the Mobility Plan contemplates intermodality between all transports, giving preference to public transports (buses, ferries and trains) and soft modes.

Almada’s Mobility Plan is already being implemented since 2003. The actions that took place, namely in terms of the circulation plan, include traffic calming measures, elevated crossings and zebra crossings and new light sign technology by zebra crossings. There were also implemented measures related to parking management, with the creation of ECALMA EM (Municipal Company of Parking and Circulation of Almada) and with the elaboration of new municipal regulations. “Intelligent” traffic lights were installed.

The proposals of Accessibilities 21 go beyond the Council of Almada, taking into account the improvement of mobility and accessibilities with the neighbouring councils. At a local level some of the innovative proposals are the so-called “30 areas”, where this is the speed limit.

Construction work carried out in the framework of the urban Mobility Plan Accessibilities 21