Road categorization plan

Due to national developments and studies in Wassenaar about 30 km/h, the municipality decided to update the 2016 road categorization plan. We have been working on this for the past two years. All roads where speeds exceed 30 km/h in Wassenaar have been assessed for accessibility, safety and livability. These are 27 roads. Out of this came the modified road categorization plan for Wassenaar. Would you like to see the draft road categorization plan? You can do so at the documents at the bottom of the page.

Purpose road categorization plan

The purpose of the road categorization plan is to improve safety and livability on the roads in Wassenaar, while maintaining accessibility. We want to achieve this by ensuring that the function, form and use of the roads are well matched. It is important that every road user clearly sees the type of road they are driving on. A road categorization plan takes into account different types of traffic: cars, trucks, cyclists, emergency services and public transportation. The ultimate goal is to have a traffic network that fits within the municipality and meets the needs of residents and road users.

Alderman Traffic Wim Koetsier: "I want to improve the safety and livability on the roads in Wassenaar, without reducing accessibility. It is important to go ahead with this plan now, so that the residents of Wassenaar can safely get on their bikes to go to work, school or family and friends. We want to achieve this by reducing the speed on a number of roads to 30 km/h and design accordingly. This desire is also in line with a motion passed in the House of Representatives in October 2020."

Basis of arrangement of roads in Wassenaar

Wassenaar has a lot of roads. Only those roads where speeds exceed 30 km/h were assessed for accessibility, safety and livability. These are 27 roads. Of these, two roads ultimately remain where it is allowed to drive 50 km/h. The remaining roads will become 30 km/h in the new road network plan. 

All roads of the same category should be designed in the same way as much as possible. This plan forms the basis for the (re)design of those roads. Here, customization within the type of road (and within the national guidelines) is also possible. Customization in the form of specific wishes for a road, such as size, appearance and speed, to make the road fit in with the environment as well as possible.

Guidelines of the roads 

Guidelines for roads are determined by the chosen function and speed of the road. If it is a 30 km/h road, then rules and guidelines apply to it, just as rules and guidelines apply to a 50 km/h road. For example, how wide the road must be to give space to all road users, what speed limits apply or what type of traffic is allowed. Thus, there are specific design features for each road in Wassenaar. If we are going to modify a road, it is then immediately clear what best suits that road. We also take into account the unique character and environment of the road. This all comes together in the road categorization plan. 

Participation

The City Council released the draft road categorization plan for public comment from July 19, 2024 to Sept. 13, 2024. The plan can be downloaded below. The plan was also available for public inspection during that period at the Municipal Office, Johan de Wittstraat 45, 2242 LV Wassenaar. The plan was also previously available for public inspection in January 2024. 

In addition, the views received will be sent (anonymized) to the Citizens' Council on Traffic. The Citizens' Council will issue an opinion to the City Council. You can read more information about the Citizens' Council on the project page. 

After processing the views received and the citizen council opinions adopted by the City Council, the City Council will adopt a final road categorization plan as soon as possible. This is scheduled for the end of 2025.

Citizen's Council

At the council meeting of December 19, 2023, the motion for Citizen's Consultation was adopted by the City Council. This requests the college to organize a citizen's council on the Road Categorization Plan. 

What is a citizens' meeting?

A citizens' meeting is a form of resident participation. It involves a representative group of residents, randomly selected from the Wassenaar population, coming together to discuss and make recommendations on policy issues under guidance. During the citizen consultation, participants can draw on independent experts and technical expertise on the topic. The goal is to make the voice of the residents heard and involve them directly in decision-making processes. By deploying a citizens' council in addition to the previously conducted forms of resident participation, a broadly supported plan in which Wassenaar society can agree should be achieved.

Approach

In order to implement the motion, the City Council provided funds for this purpose. A study is currently underway on how citizens' council can be organized in Wassenaar. This could include how the sample for the citizens' council will be composed, how many residents will be allowed to participate and which residents will take part. As soon as more is clear, the college will come up with a proposal on which external agency will supervise the process, how the organization of the citizens' council will look like, which additional resources may be necessary and when the citizens' council can start.

Meanwhile, the Citizens' Consultation on Traffic has been completed. More information can be found on the Citizen's Consultation on Traffic project page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was the 2016 road categorization plan renewed?

The Wassenaar City Council has a desire to improve road safety by reducing speeds to 30 km/h on more roads. This desire is consistent with a motion passed in the House of Representatives in October 2020. That motion states that 30 km/h should be the standard speed within built-up areas.

Can I see the draft road categorization plan?

Yes, see the attachment at the bottom of the page. 

Have all roads in Wassenaar been looked at for the amended plan?

No, we did not look at the roads that are already 30 mph. These roads remain the same. There are 27 roads where people are now allowed to drive 50 k/m u. Only these roads have we reviewed it for the 2024 road categorization plan.

Why don't all roads in Wassenaar become 30 km per hour?

These are two routes in Wassenaar that will not become 30 km/h. This is because the emergency and rescue services must be able to reach an incident in time. If we make all roads 30 km/h, the emergency services will no longer be able to meet the legal response times. We will also keep the routes where buses now drive at 50 km/h as much as possible. If the buses have to slow down, the quality of public transport will suffer. 

Will the police enforce the 30 km/h?

Enforcement is the final piece. This means first focusing on appropriate infrastructure with a credible speed limit and influencing behavior. Only then will enforcement be deployed. 

The plan lists roads as abbreviations. What are ETW, GOW30 and GOW50 roads?

  • An ETW30 is a residential access road with a speed limit of 30 mph. This refers to a residential street or industrial area where all traffic uses the same roadway.
  • A GOW50 is a 50 km/h distributor road. A distributor road facilitates both flow (on the road sections) and exchange of traffic (at the intersections). The travel speeds of motorized traffic are therefore higher than on access roads, and cyclists must therefore have their own separate facilities from a safety perspective.
  • A GOW30 is an Area Road with a maximum speed of 30 km/h. This is a through road where the speed is lower for safety reasons due to the high presence of houses, driveways, school surroundings, stores, etc. Cyclists here often have their own place on the road via bicycle lanes.

What measures will the municipality take to make the roads that remain 50 km/h safer?

The implementation program will include how we will make these roads safer.

What is the municipality's long-term vision for traffic?

The vision is included in the 2016 traffic plan. Because this plan is partially outdated, we are updating it in 2024, which will also include our long-term vision. 

Does the road categorization plan also solve unwanted through traffic (creeping traffic)? 

The Road Categorization Plan is not intended to solve unwanted through traffic, but serves as a guideline in road redesign processes. The influence of speed limits on roads is limited on existing traffic flows. The unwanted through traffic through Wassenaar is caused by longer travel times and travel distance via A44/N44. The problem is not solved with more 30 km/h roads.

Can I see the license plate survey about sneak traffic in Wassenaar?

Yes. You can view the results of the September 2022 license plate survey.

Planning

  1. Completed: Draft road categorization plan released for public comment -

    Draft Road Categorization Plan was released for public comment at the December 19, 2023 council meeting. This went forward with the passage of the Citizens' Consultation motion. 

  2. Completed: For consideration -

    The draft Road Categorization Plan is available for review. As well as during the period July 19 through September 13, 2024.

  3. Completed: Processing incoming views -

    From September 2024 through November 2024, the views received will be processed and anonymized. It will then be sent to the Citizen's Council on Traffic for information. 

  4. Completed: Citizen's Council on Traffic -

    The Citizens' Consultation on Traffic took place in four meetings:

    • November 13, 2024
    • December 13, 2024
    • Jan. 17, 2025
    • Feb. 7, 2025

  5. Completed: Handing over Citizens' Advisory Report on Traffic -

    At the last meeting, the participants of the citizens' council presented their opinions to the college. The advisory report (without the administrative response) was sent to the City Council for information in March 2025.

  6. Still to do: The administrative decision-making process -

    • May 19, 2025: Discussion of the advisory report and the administrative response (appreciation) in the Physical Environment Committee meeting. This will include discussion of the Memorandum of Reply to the submitted views.
    • June 3, 2025: Consideration of the council proposal on the Citizens' Advisory Report on Traffic and the Memorandum of Reply at the council meeting. The college provides an administrative response (appreciation) in advance, explaining which opinions, among others, are potentially feasible from a traffic, legal and financial point of view and which are not.
    • December 1, 2025: Discussion of the Road Categorization Plan at the Physical Environment Committee meeting. The draft plan will be amended based on the council's adopted opinions from the advisory report and Memorandum of Reply.
    • December 16, 2025: Consideration of the Road Categorization Plan at the council meeting. Decision making on the Road Categorization Plan is scheduled for December 2025.

Documents