The campus of the University of Twente will be redesigned to a 30 km/h traffic zone. A large part of all roads will be reconstructed: red bicycle lanes on both sides of the road, intersections will be made with sand-colored bricks and the main entrance will change completely. All this to make the campus a safer and bicycle-friendly environment.
Why is the campus redesigned to a 30 km/h zone?
The speed limit on the roads on the campus of the University of Twente is currently 50 km/h. At a number of intersections the situations are unclear and/or dangerous, especially for non-motorized traffic (pedestrians and cyclists). There are different priority regimes at the intersections and the intersections are characterized by a lack of uniformity. The number of accidents on the road system of the University of Twente was set at 63 between January 2013 and February 2019, concentrated at the intersection between Drienerloweg - Drienerbeeklaan - Hallenweg (main entrance UT) and the bicycle crossing on Drienerlolaan, Boerderijweg and de Zul. There is great support among students, employees and residents of the UT: 82% ± 5% is (very) positive about the 30 km/h zone (June 2020, 860 respondents).
What will change?
Road safety will be improved, compared to the current situation. Improving road safety is defined as "a reduction in the number of accidents and/or its impact on the people involved". To achieve this improvement, a significant reduction in the velocities of motor vehicles on the roads on the campus of the University of Twente is necessary. Intersections and road sections are redesigned using the guidelines of a 30 km/h zone: traffic from the right has right of way and the road sections will have red bicycle lanes on both sides. Because there is also a fair amount of bus and truck traffic on campus, the number and type of speed bumps will be adapted to these heavy vehicles. Campus & Facility Management, the municipality of Enschede, the Keolis bus company and the Twente police were closely involved in the planning phase.
What is the planning?
The construction of the new road sections and intersections will be carried out in phases. The works will start in June 2021 and will continue until the course of 2022. The start is the reconstruction of the main entrance, which gets a true metamorphosis. An oval roundabout is being constructed here, aiming at an improvement of the traffic flow and road safety. After this, the Drienerloweg will be tackled and the intersection with Boerderijweg will be reconstructed. After this, the contractor will continue with the other roads on the campus. All roads will be tackled, with the exception of Campuslaan (west of Calslaan), Matenweg and Reelaan. These roads have already been paved in a bicycle-friendly way. After completion of the work, the campus will a safe and bicycle-friendly place for the next years!
