Future in the Alps: sustainable mobility strategies (Zukunft in den Alpen: nachhaltige Mobilitätskonzepte)
Solutions for sustainable mobility for tourism and recreation, as well as commuting and travel to work. The strategy operates with a holistic approach and is implemented with positive incentives. The three pillars of sustainability form the basis of the concept. Tourism and recreational mobility: incentives package for rail users and visitors who choose to take a “holiday from the car”. Commuting and travel to work: incentives package for local residents who do not use their cars.
Project executive
Municipality of Werfenweng, Pongau, Salzburg Province (800 inhabitants, 1000 m above sea-level, economic structure: agriculture and tourism).
Participants
Municipality of Werfenweng, Werfenweng Tourism Association, SAMO – SAnfte MObilität (soft mobility, co-operative comprising about 60 % of all hospitality businesses and other businesses), sections of the public in the community depending on the measure involved, visitors, Innovationswerkstatt (planning and product development, marketing, process support), OEAR (concepts, moderation, conferences), Trafico Gmunden (mobility concepts), IG-Sanfte Mobilität (national working group of municipalities for gentle mobility), Pearls of the Alps (an international partnership now being set up).
Objectives
The project is designed to achieve a redefinition of mobility in the Alpine space. The “old” automobile technology is being replaced by various innovative forms of mobility. The objective relates to tourism and recreational traffic as well as the mobility of local residents. It is to be achieved on the basis of voluntary co-operation and incentive packages. The way forward is not “punishment” but advantages for those who choose sustainable forms of mobility. Ecological objectives: reduction of CO2 and particle emissions, improved quality of life and holiday enjoyment, improved quality of the air, less noise. Economic objectives: increased income in tourism and agriculture. Social objectives: reduced pace of life, awareness-building for the world around and our limited resources, involvement and solidarity among the local population, a new mobility, self-empowerment and future-oriented thinking and acting.
Activities
“Holiday from the car”: visitors can exchange their car keys for the SAMO key. All visitors who arrive by train receive a SAMO key. The SAMO key is the key to eco-mobility. Elois, an electric taxi service, takes visitors from A to B free of charge. Plus there are electric cars, electric scooters, bigas, horse-drawn carriages, etc., and also the Werfenweng Shuttle for cross-country travel. The SAMO co-operative of hospitality and other businesses works on the basis of given criteria, and the SAMO scheme is actively marketed. Activities also include promoting travel to the resort by rail through ticketing offers and active marketing, and the further development of the product through meetings and seminars. Phase 2 (incentive package for residents): a central multi-storey car park is planned for conventional cars, which in future will be used for long-distance travel only. Local residents will be offered a special rate and will otherwise take advantage of the soft mobility offerings. Subsidies for sales of electric cars, electric scooters for young adults.
Results
In 1997, 7% of visitors (approx. 1600) arrived by rail; in 2004 the figure was 28% (approx. 8500), an increase of about 6900. That means 4.5 million fewer kilometres travelled by car (on the basis of an average of 3 persons per car for a journey of 1600 km), approx. 365,000 fewer litres of fuel consumed (at 8 l per km) and reductions in terms of pollutant and noise emissions. Approx. 30 fact-finding parties from home and abroad came to learn from Werfenweng, and the “Remotion” conference was held. Increase in bednights in the resort: approx. 29% (linear increase through rail users). Increase in bednights in the SAMO hotels: approx. 79% – without additional capacities (1997 - 2004). Plus awareness-building (the idea for "Pearls of the Alps” derives largely from the success of the Werfenweng scheme). Local residents clearly have a new mobility. The Werfenweng mobil+ programme is designed to spread the idea of gentle mobility to the local population (awareness-building, switch to renewable energy in the field of mobility, too).
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