Stauanfällig

Stauanfällig is an adjective used in German to describe something that is susceptible to traffic jams or congestion. It is typically applied to roads, routes, times, or transport networks that experience frequent reductions in traffic flow due to high demand, incidents, or bottlenecks. The related noun Stauanfälligkeit denotes the propensity for congestion.

Usage in traffic planning and public discourse: A road or corridor can be described as stauanfällig, especially during peak hours or events. The term is common in planning briefs, traffic reports, and discussions about urban mobility. For example, one might refer to a “stauanfällige Hauptverkehrsroute” or a district with high stauanfälligkeit during morning commutes.

Causes and contributing factors: High traffic volume relative to capacity, limited roadway capacity, merging bottlenecks, frequent incidents, suboptimal intersection design, and adverse weather can increase stauanfälligkeit. Temporal dynamics matter; weekday rush hours, holidays, and special events often raise the risk of congestion.

Measurement and planning implications: In forecasting and analysis, Stauanfälligkeit is assessed using indicators such as expected travel-time variance, congestion probability, and average delays. Urban planners and transport authorities may seek to reduce stauanfälligkeit through measures like capacity expansion, traffic-signal optimization, incident management, and promoting alternative routes or modes.

See also: stau (traffic jam); traffic congestion; transport planning.