The project consists of various measures to create new forms of soft mobility, especially car-free arrival for tourists and car-free mobility in the region. Residents, companies, transport companies and tourism are involved.
Project executive
Municipality of Werfenweng, municipality of Bad Hofgastein, Federal State of Salzburg, Austria
Participants
Municipalities of Werfenweng and Bad Hofgastein, Tourismusverband Werfenweng, members of SAMO (SAnfte MObilität = Soft Mobility) f.e. hotels, private accomodation, companies, transport companies, the European Union, State of Salzburg, State of Austria, travel agencies, Alpenverein, Österreichwerbung, Innovationswerkstatt, Trafico Gmunden, ÖAR, IG Sanfte Mobilität
Objectives
The main objective is to create a sustainable product for car-free tourism with high quality, to implement innovative traffic concepts for travelling to the model communities. Tourists should come to Werfenweng and Bad Hofgastein without their cars (to "make holidays from my car"). The residents should also be animated to switch to public transport.
Activities
The following activities were implemented: extensive and professional public relations, mobility studies and mobility concepts, alternative cars were bought and used, the SAMO-key was invented (guests can change their car-key to the SAMO-key, which stands for ecological mobility - you can do car-sharing, hire electric-cars, there's a possibility for shuttle-transport, busses, hire gasoline-cars, horse carriage), co-operation with international travel agencies, extension of walking and cycling paths, extension /establishment of pedestrian zones, door-to-door service for luggage, support ticketing for an arrival by train, subvention of electric cars for inhabitants, workshops
Process
The project is run by the Federal Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management and the Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology, the State of Salzburg and the two model communities Werfenweng and Bad Hofgastein. The project is supported by the EU. The communities were selected as model municipalities. Concepts for public relations and mobility were and are still developed and consecutively realised.
Results
1997: 7% (1.600) guests that arrived by train, 2004: 28% (8.500) that arrived by train, 4,5 car-kilometres could be saved, that are 365.000 liters of saved petrol, corbon dioxide could be reduced, the project has also an important impact on residents: the project chanced opinions concerning mobility
Evaluation
The project was evaluated, impacts on environment and economy were described (see below).
Difficulties
There was kind of misunderstanding and resitance in the beginning of the project, residents and several companies were against the project. This problem could be solved by integrating the residents and owners of companies.
The financial situation is and was always difficult.
Budget
8.000.000 Eur (different, depending on time and measures) (Euro)
Financial backer
EU, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment, Water Management and Federal Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology, Federal Ministry of Economy, Salzburg, municipalities of Werfenweng and Bad Hofgastein, Tourmismusverband, members of SAMO
