Gångfartszoner

Gångfartszoner are traffic calming measures implemented in Sweden that designate areas where vehicular speed is restricted to a very low level, typically walking pace. These zones are primarily found in residential areas, near schools, playgrounds, and in pedestrian-heavy urban centers. The concept behind a gångfartzon is to prioritize pedestrian safety and comfort by creating a shared space where vehicles are guests.

The legal speed limit within a gångfartzon is often 7 kilometers per hour (approximately 4.3 miles per hour). While vehicles are permitted, their presence is secondary to that of pedestrians, cyclists, and other non-motorized users. This means that drivers must yield to pedestrians and exercise extreme caution. The design of these zones often incorporates features like reduced road width, speed bumps, textured surfaces, and landscaping to further discourage high speeds and delineate the pedestrian-priority nature of the area.

Gångfartzoner aim to reduce the risk of accidents involving vulnerable road users and to improve the overall quality of life in urban environments by creating quieter and more pleasant spaces. They are a distinct type of traffic calming, differing from speed bumps or chicanes by fundamentally altering the priority of road users. The implementation of such zones reflects a shift towards a more human-centric approach to urban planning and traffic management.