Traffic study

Busy (freight) car traffic is a much discussed topic in Wassenaar society and opinions on causes and solutions vary. In order to arrive at solid and supported solution directions, the consultancy firm Royal HaskoningDHV carried out a traffic study on behalf of the municipality. The study aims to objectify the perceived traffic pressure and the amount of through traffic and bring it more in line with the carrying capacity of the Wassenaar road network. 

Participation

The traffic study came about after an extensive participation process. A working group was formed for this purpose in which Keer Verkeer, Ondernemend Wassenaar, Vrienden van Wassenaar, Fietsersbond and the emergency services participated on behalf of the residents and entrepreneurs. With a webinar and an online survey, all residents were directly involved in the research. 

From research to realization

In September 2021, the City Council adopted the Wassenaar Traffic Study report endorsing the following decision points:

• Adopt the five opportunities from the Wassenaar Traffic Study dated May 27, 2021 as starting points for a realization plan toward the year 2030:
  • Reduce internal car trips in Wassenaar and improve road safety of slow commuter
  •  Alternatives for through traffic on the relation The Hague -Wassenaar - Katwijk and vice versa 
  • Alternatives for traffic on the Leiden - Wassenaar -A44/N44 relationship and vice versa
  •  Balancing traffic on roads
  • Locally tailor traffic safety and concerns (raised in survey, knowledge session and website)
• Pay extra attention to traffic safety at schools and indicate this in the further elaboration.
• Increasing traffic safety and improving rapid traffic flow to reduce congestion at the Rose Square traffic circle.
• Further discourage access future 30 km/h roads implement as a trial.
• Realizing quick wins.

Realization plan available for review

In the realization plan Traffic, the five opportunities are elaborated and translated into concrete projects. Participation processes with those directly involved will be set up for the exact interpretation and design of all projects, but first the municipality would like to involve the residents in the entire realization plan.
At the request of the council and in line with the national trend, an investigation will be started into reducing the speed limit to 30 km/h within the built-up area.

The realization plan was available for inspection from February 4 to March 18, 2022. The responses were incorporated into a memorandum of reply. The realization plan was adjusted to the new coalition agreement. The revised realization plan was adopted by the City Council on May 9, 2023.