Mobile.city.Jena
Rethinking mobility services
Key project 6 - Long-distance rail alliance
Action approach
Since 2018, the city of Jena has no longer been a stop on the nationwide ICE network. Until now, long-distance rail connections have been one of the city's key locational factors. The direct connection to cities such as Leipzig, Berlin and Munich, in conjunction with the central inner-city location of the Jena Paradies stop, has become an attractive and convenient transport connection for business partners, scientists and students that belongs to the past.
In order to guarantee efficient and high-quality long-distance transport connections in the future, more than 100 members from companies, scientific institutions, interest groups and representatives from administration and politics havejoinedforces in Jena to form the Bündnis Fernverkehr für Jena . The primary goal is to continue lobbying at all levels to draw attention to the great importance of the long-distance rail connection in Jena. The city of Jena is currently served by long-distance connections in an east-west and north-south direction that fall short of the original targets of the so-called Deutschlandtakt (D-Takt = every 2 hours).
Objectives
- Maintaining an efficient and comfortable rail connection
Implementation status
- In 2021, an economic study of the existing plans was carried out by the federal government
- A third concept for the long-distance connections has been available since the beginning of 2021
- In autumn 2021, the city of Jena commissioned its own study, which was handed over to the state in early 2022
Coordinator
Michael Margull, Department 3, Mobility Department
Key project 7 - Jena digitally mobile
Approach to action
Digitalization not only influences forms and possibilities of communication, but also offers a wide range of approaches for optimizing the networking of different modes of transport, for the intelligent control of flowing traffic and for the space-saving organization of parking traffic. The following approaches should be pursued:
- Creation of a "Mobility Card" that links all modes of public and shared individual transportation (car sharing, rental bikes) on the basis of a card system or smartphone.
- The use of intelligent traffic guidance and control can help to manage the flow of traffic on the main road network in a way that is compatible with the city. There are a total of 84 traffic lights in Jena, 33 of which give priority to local traffic. The control of the traffic lights at the junctions is mainly traffic-dependent, i.e. depending on the current traffic situation. The extent to which a readjustment of the traffic light control can contribute to a smooth flow of traffic without giving up priority to local public transport needs to be examined.
- A digital parking guidance system is suitable for the core city of Jena and should also be considered in a regional context in order to redirect vehicle traffic on the outskirts of the city and at the regional connection points to public transport.
- The digital possibilities should also be used with regard to payment systems for parking. Payment at parking ticket machines can then be made not only with coins, but also cashless via cell phone. Local public transport tickets can already be purchased via an app.
Goals
- Use of digital possibilities to link modes of transport and optimize transport systems
Implementation status
2018-2022 Environmentally oriented traffic management
- Avoidance of emission-intensive driving conditions through improved traffic flow control
- Expansion of sensor technology, traffic situation model and traffic management system, floating car data, parking guidance system, open data portal, MeinJena app, etc.
2020-2024 5G traffic networking pilot project
- Model project to increase traffic safety and optimize multimodal transport and energy supply
- Implementation funding from the Federal Ministry of Transport & Digital Infrastructure
- Consideration of all road users (public transport, private transport, bicycles, e-scooters, FG)
Coordinator
Matthias Weitsch, Municipal Service Jena
Further information
Key project 8 - Multimodal mobility
Approach
The future of mobility lies in linking different modes of transport so that the right mode of transport can be chosen depending on everyday life and circumstances. However, this requires a wide range of options in urban areas for switching from one mode of transport to another. First of all, this topic requires a forward-looking conceptual consideration of the existing and other mobility options, including their links.
A mobility concept for Jena must be pursued further against the background of the differentiating modes of transport and digital possibilities. City politicians must be closely involved in this process. The opinion-forming process can be supported by experience-oriented participation formats (e.g. mobility fairs, presentations and experiences from other cities, street festivals, city cycling with the mayor/deputy mayor), but also by various pilot projects (e.g. electric buses, courier trips with cargo bikes, purchase of additional city-owned electric bikes).
The development of a future-oriented mobility concept should include the following focal points with the involvement of municipal stakeholders:
- Creating a local and regional parking strategy; updating the parking concept
- Improving the use of local public transport in conjunction with the regional P+R strategy
- Upgrading the Jena-West and Jena-Göschwitz stops as mobility connection points (streetcar, long-distance bus, city and regional bus, bicycle, walking), upgrading the surroundings of the stations and better urban integration
- Expansion of the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles in conjunction with suitable locations (including car sharing stations, public transport stops, stores, workplace locations)
- Development of sustainable approaches for the steadily increasing number of deliveries and courier services within the city due to online retail and digital services
- Creation of bicycle parking facilities, particularly at stops and destinations in the city, but also in the vicinity of residential buildings
- Special consideration of pedestrian traffic as part of the redesign of existing and the development of new urban spaces
Objectives
- Strengthening and shifting traffic to eco-mobility
- Reduction of traffic-related pollution in the urban area
(noise, air, safety, sealing and land consumption)
Implementation status
- Adoption of the mobility guidelines (2018)
- Public transport concept Jena 2030+ (2020)
- Update of local transport concept (2021) and parking space concept (2021)
- Establishment of e-scooter rental system
- Implementation of various cycle path projects (e.g. Jena21, Saaleweg "In den Jenaischen Weiden", Saaleweg "Maua-Göschwitz" 1st construction phase)
- City Council resolution no. 21/1044-BV on the increased use of funds for the expansion of cycling infrastructure was passed due to the citizens' petition for a cycling referendum
- Jena 2035+ cycling plan (2024)
- Westbahnhof framework plan (resolution 25/0270-BV from 29.04.2025)
Coordinator
Michael Margull, Department 3, Mobility Department