Pop-up Street Transformation for Safer School and Station Routes
Can temporary paint and planters save lives? The municipality of Neufeld an der Leitha is testing low-cost, interim street designs to transform Landegger Straße from a car-centric corridor into a safe, inviting connection for children and commuters. By "right-sizing" lanes and highlighting crossings with vibrant floor graphics, this pilot demonstrates how to prioritize active mobility.
Challenge addressed
Landegger Straße serves as a vital link between residential areas, schools, and the railway station. However, assessments revealed poor quality for active travelers due to narrow sidewalks and three unsecured intersections. High traffic volumes and the lack of clear pedestrian priority made the route unattractive, particularly for children walking to school and commuters heading to the train station or the city center.
Solution implemented
The pilot uses "pop-up" elements—including oil-based paint, concrete planters, and removable bollards—to reconfigure the street. Specifically, circular floor markings were applied at three key intersections to increase driver awareness for people crossing the street. These markings, combined with planters acting as curb extensions, physically narrow the roadway to reduce vehicle speeds and shorten pedestrian crossing distances.
Results achieved
The pilot is currently under implementation – first results are expected at the end of June. The positive impact is already resonating beyond local borders: other municipalities in the region are showing a surge of interest in adopting Neufeld’s "pop-up" street transformation model for their own local contexts.
Lessons learned
A primary takeaway from the planning stage is that even 'temporary' interventions require substantial time to ensure technical feasibility and stakeholder alignment.
Cross Links
Contact: Business Agency Burgenland / Mobility Center Burgenland; municipality of Neufeld
The project Active2Public Transport is supported by the Interreg Danube Region Programme project co-funded by the European Union. The project was initiated by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure (BMIMI), Department II/6 in cooperation with klimaaktiv mobil – the Austrian Federal climate protection initiative on sustainable mobility.