The major research project “Trans|formator:in” aims to accelerate the transformation of streets and squares towards more space for pedestrians and cyclists, greenery and quality of life by means of seven pilot projects throughout Austria. The aim is to motivate and encourage other municipalities throughout Austria to take the necessary steps towards a mobility transition in their own environment. The pilot project in the Burgenland municipality of Deutschkreutz is being supported by the new Cycle Competence member Mobility Center Burgenland and the Eastern Region VOR transport association. In addition, Cycle Competence members Verracon from Vienna and traffic engineers Besch und Partner from Vorarlberg are contributing their expertise. The comprehensive mobility concept is being developed in a participatory manner on site.

Development from train station to modern mobility station

The municipality of Deutschkreutz on the Hungarian border is a classic commuter community in central Burgenland that serves as an important hub for the entire region. The direct rail connection to Vienna and the newly expanded bus network of the Burgenland transport company represent a great opportunity for improved mobility. The direct location of the train station in the settlement area of the municipality also means a high potential for pedestrian and bicycle traffic. However, the station and its immediate surroundings are currently not very attractive, and crossing the provincial road is unsafe and uncomfortable, especially for children and older people.

The large park-ride parking lot directly in front of the station entrance is a labyrinth for pedestrians and cyclists. The buildings, platforms and service facilities are also getting on in years. ÖBB is therefore planning to renovate the station. This gives the municipality a unique window of opportunity, which the Trans|formator:in project aims to make the best possible use of.

Using Deutschkreutz as an example, the Trans|formator:in project explores the question of how active mobility and town center revitalization can be promoted as part of an integrative planning approach. Starting with the redesign of the station forecourt, the topics of pedestrian and bicycle traffic, public transport and quality of stay are to be addressed with regard to the entire town area. This will take place as part of a participatory process that involves all relevant stakeholder groups, including residents.

The map section shows the busy road that separates the train station from the town center.

To this end, a comprehensive mobility concept is being drawn up for the entire municipality, in which the guidelines for the future development of the municipality in terms of mobility, quality of stay, open spaces and traffic will be developed. A detailed concept will be drawn up for the station, the directly adjacent area and the adjoining country road, which will focus on pedestrian and bicycle traffic as well as buses and trains. A modern train station, which as a multimodal mobility station represents a functioning and high-quality linking of all services, corresponds to the current state of the art in terms of quality and specifications and rolls out the “red carpet” for users, represents the objectives of the planning and is intended to motivate people to switch from car traffic.

Intensive days on site: shaping the mobility transition together

Involving all stakeholders and users is essential to ensure acceptance of the mobility transition in the municipality. A broad-based participation process, in which various methods and participation formats are used, forms the basis for the specialist planning process.
A mobility survey was carried out in the municipality in spring 2024. It was aimed at residents and station users alike. This allowed an impression of mobility behavior in the municipality to be gained and attitudes and wishes to be surveyed.

The first intensive days of the project then took place in Deutschkreutz at the beginning of May. During the three days, the redesign of the station forecourt and mobility in the municipality were discussed with decision-makers, residents and experts. Participation formats such as specialist workshops, a citizens’ event and perception walks were used.

In the latter, the mobility situation in the village was consciously experienced with municipal representatives, interested citizens and pupils from secondary school and possibilities for improvement were discussed. The mobility behavior and wishes of students and teachers were also surveyed at the school.

The workshops with stakeholders on the mobility concept and the station forecourt dealt with questions about the objectives, requirements and desired qualities of mobility in Deutschkreutz. The intensive discussions on issues such as speed regulations in the town or the quality of life in the town center show the high level of interest but also the complexity of the issues for municipal development. Over the summer, the results of the intensive days will be further developed by the traffic planners into proposals for measures. These will be presented to the municipality in the fall and further developed together with all interested parties.

The Trans|formator:in toolbox is open to all municipalities

The project team has collected and professionally prepared numerous examples from Austria and Europe from which municipalities can learn a lot for their own transformation projects. Ten categories from financing and law to participation formats and spatial analyses to digital tools structure the wealth of information. You can read up here!

Cycle Competence members con.sens mobilitätsdesign and PRISMA solutions are also represented in the project consortium. You can find practical tips in the toolbox from videos by experts, the voices of transformation:

Further links:

– Pilot project Deutschkreuz on transformatorin.at
– Mobility Center Burgenland on the Deutschkreuz project
– The Transformator:in toolbox navigator