1Regierungsbaumeister Michael Ilk - Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart, Tiefbauamt Co-ordinating Street and Highway Works in the City of Stuttgart

Regierungsbaumeister Michael Ilk - Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart, Tiefbauamt1

Co-ordinating Street and Highway Works

in the City of Stuttgart


Michael Ilk

Civil Engineer, Stuttgart Department of Civil Engineering

1996-2000 special assistant to the director of the Stuttgart Department of Civil Engineering

2001-2002 Executive assistant to the City’s Chief Engineer

2003-presentDepartment Manager in the Civil Engineering Office


1. Situation in Stuttgart2. Stakeholders of the co-ordination process3. The co-ordination process4. Timing of works5. Public relation work6. Conclusion




Stuttgart ...580,000 inhabitants;about 2 million people live and work in the region of stuttgart


Stuttgart ...flourishing economy and head quarter of many world-renowned businesses


Stuttgart ...hilly landscape:highest point: 549 m above sea level,lowest point: 207 m above sea level


Stuttgart ...only a few thoroughfares lead into the city,difficult traffic situation utility works must be coordinated






Stakeholders:about 20 municipal offices and companies,which are responsible for:

• electricity• gas• water• long-distance heat• telecomunication lines• traffic signal cables• sewers• water well pipe system• underpasses• private underground fixtures


Example:

1,700 km total length of our local sewage system

500 km date back 60 years and more

40 km date back more than 100 years

ongoing need for maintainance / repairs






The process:• co-ordination is computer-based

• all companies have access to a Lotus Notes database („project-oriented data management system“)

• data and information pertaining to all street and utility work projects are entered here

• sorting the data occurs on the basis of street names


The process:• data base contains - description of public work - timetable for implementation - name and phone number of a contact person • all those affected can contact each other

• twice a year the Stuttgart Civil Engineering Office invites all companies to a special meeting


The process:• difficulties, when the telecommunication market was privatised

• legislation does not allow to force companies to adhere to a certain timeframe or to co-operate with us or with others

• meanwhile there has been a market shakeout

• co-operation goes well: all participants have realised, that co-operation helps to save a lot of money






The timing:

In order to find the best time for a works project we are guided by the following principle:

Traffic flow has priority over works!

Our policy for works which do not exceed 24 hours:

• on lanes going into town may not start before 9:30

• on lanes going out of town must be completed by 15:30


The timing: Traffic flow has priority over works!

Our policy for works which exceed 24 hours:

The impact on traffic flow has to be analysed. If traffic experts predict serious traffic congestion, we have to do one of the following things:

• during the rush hour the lanes have to be open to traffic (e.g. by covering the ditches)

• work crews have to work during night hours

• work crews have to work on weekends

• work has to be done in the holiday time






Public relation work:

People are less likely to get upset if their awareness is raised well in advance.So the City of Stuttgart has adopted active communication policies:

1. Residents effected by a project are notified before street work starts

Notice includes - details concerning type of project - duration - name and phone number of an officer, who is responsible



2. Online street works calendar (www.stuttgart.de, search for „Baustellenkalender“).

The calendar lists all major works projects including type and timing.



2. Online street works calendar (www.stuttgart.de, search for „Baustellenkalender“).

The calendar lists all major works projects including type and timing.



3. Local media (newspapers and radio stations) keep their readers informed.

They use the online calendar or they receive additional information.



4. Explain to the community the need for digging up our streets and what is hidden in the underground.






Conclusion:

Our policies are aimed at co-ordinating and scheduling street/highway works and utility works whilst minimising traffic disruption.

Our practices are guided by the following principle:



Conclusion:


Our strategies are threefold:

1. Co-ordination and scheduling with the help of computer-based database

2. Implementation of works during specific timeframes

3. Community relations and public relations work


Thank you for your attention!



Documents

1Regierungsbaumeister Michael Ilk - Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart, Tiefbauamt Co-ordinating Street and Highway Works in the City of Stuttgart