Anticipates Significant Traffic Congestion during Whitsun Weekend, According to ADAC - Anticipated Road Congestion during Ascension Weekend as Per ADAC Predictions
Heavy Traffic Anticipated During Ascension Weekend in North Rhine-Westphalia
Drivers in North Rhine-Westphalia should brace themselves for significant traffic congestion during the upcoming Ascension weekend, beginning on Wednesday. Last year, the day before Ascension ranked among the ten most congested days of the year, with 779 congestion hours, according to ADAC.
The reasons for the anticipated traffic are numerous. Numerous construction sites throughout the region could lead to extended waiting times, particularly in areas with reduced lanes, which pose a high risk of congestion, says Roman Suthold, head of the traffic and environment department at ADAC North Rhine. He predicts that the motorways surrounding Cologne and the Ruhr region will be overwhelmed by the high volume of traffic and construction works.
Many students in North Rhine-Westphalia have a flexible holiday day on Friday, despite no official school holidays in the state. In addition, in many other federal states, the Ascension "bridge day" is uniformly a school holiday, leading to an increased number of families embarking on short vacations.
ADAC expects the highest traffic volume on Wednesday between 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM, when commuters and vacationers will share the roads. Those setting off in the evening or on Thursday are likely to reach their destination more quickly and relaxing, according to Suthold.
On Sunday afternoon, the return traffic will contribute to congested roads, although fewer congestion hours are expected compared to the start of the long weekend due to the absence of commuters, says Suthold.
In the event of a traffic jam, bypassing it via a country road is generally not advantageous, according to ADAC. Often, these detour routes become congested as well. "It only makes sense to exit the motorway when facing a congestion of more than ten kilometers in length or in case of a complete closure," the spokesperson added.
During the Ascension weekend, travelers in North Rhine-Westphalia can expect heavy traffic on major highways and near large cities, particularly on Thursday (public holiday) and the surrounding days. It's always advisable to check live traffic updates from official German sources, such as ADAC and Verkehrsinfo NRW, before departure for real-time conditions.
Community policies within North Rhine-Westphalia might suggest alternative transportation means during Ascension weekend to alleviate heavy traffic. The employment policy could provide flexible work hours for commuters to avoid peak travel times. The industry, finance, and lifestyle sections could collaborate to promote telecommuting or work-from-home arrangements during the congestion period. Meanwhile, the transportation sector could consider implementing travel reimbursement incentives for those using public transit or carpooling during the Ascension weekend, thus contributing to a more efficient and sustainable travel approach during the anticipated high traffic times.
