Politics · Germany · 18 hrs ago
Swiss government examines traffic lights at more than 120 motorway entrances
Switzerland’s Federal Roads Office is examining traffic lights at more than 120 motorway entrances.
The lights would release vehicles onto motorways in controlled groups, aiming to reduce congestion and rear-end crashes; 15 such systems are already operating.
The plan comes as motorway congestion grows: authorities recorded 68,040 hours of traffic jams in 2025, about 20% more than in 2024.
Holding cars at entrance ramps can also cause queues on nearby local roads, a trade-off the office says may be necessary.
Some cantons and cities say they have not yet been closely involved, and worry that traffic could shift into residential areas and affect safety for people walking or cycling.
The office says local authorities will be involved when proposals become specific projects, which are expected to proceed gradually over the coming years.
There is no firm timetable yet.
Switzerland’s Federal Roads Office is examining traffic-light systems at more than 120 motorway entrances to regulate how many vehicles enter at once.
The systems are intended to reduce motorway congestion and rear-end crashes, but can cause queues on local roads.
Fifteen such systems are already operating, including in Bern, Zurich and Aargau.
The office says projects will be introduced gradually in coming years, but there is no firm timetable.
Cantons, cities and political representatives have raised concerns about shifting traffic and safety impacts on local streets.
- Who
- Switzerland’s Federal Roads Office (Astra) is examining the systems.
- What
- It is reviewing traffic lights at more than 120 motorway entrances to regulate vehicle access.
- When
- The review is under way; projects are expected to be implemented gradually in coming years, with no firm timetable.
- Where
- Switzerland, with possible sites concentrated around Zurich, Basel and western Switzerland.
- Why
- The systems are intended to make better use of existing motorways and reduce congestion and rear-end crashes.
Federal Roads Office (Astra)
Cantons, cities and the Swiss Association of Cities
Purpose of the systems
Federal Roads Office (Astra)
Astra says ramp metering directly controls the flow of vehicles onto motorways and can reduce congestion and crashes.
Cantons, cities and the Swiss Association of Cities
They warn that queues could shift onto local roads and affect pedestrian and bicycle traffic and road safety.
Planning
Federal Roads Office (Astra)
Astra says cantons and municipalities will be involved when a review leads to a specific project.
Cantons, cities and the Swiss Association of Cities
Some affected authorities say they have not yet been concretely involved and want measures planned jointly.
No direct quotes in the coverage so far.
An internal Astra note recorded that ramp metering should proceed even if it caused queues on downstream roads.
Switzerland recorded 68,040 hours of motorway traffic jams, about 20 percent more than the previous year.
Astra is examining possible ramp-metering systems at more than 120 sites; 15 systems are already operating.
The federal government says specific projects will be implemented gradually, with no binding timetable.
- Sites under review
- More than 120
- Systems already operating
- 15
- Basel region sites under review
- 19
- Motorway traffic-jam hours in 2025
- 68,040
- Change in traffic-jam hours
- About 20 percent more than in 2024
Sources
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