Swiss ingenuity eases international and local road traffic across the Alps

摘要

Switzerland has always been a land of contrasts. Europe's mountain hub has always combined an international outlook with intensely local democratic structures based on the country's 26 cantons and road transport policy is no different. Facing the need to manage international traffic crossing from France and Germany to Italy in the south, while preserving clean air and preventing congestion in its beautiful Alpine landscapes, Swiss road transport policymakers have to think local and international simultaneously. Accordingly, Switzerland has invested in its road arteries. According to the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC), the volume of private motorized transport on the country's major motorway is now four times greater than it was 50 years ago. The Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) has also predicted a volume increase by at least 20%, before 2030.