Description of congestion hotspot analysis

The congestion hotspot with the highest impact factor runs along the B1 heading outwards from the Strausberger Platz traffic circle to the Frankfurter Allee/ Skandinavische Straße intersection. For the analysis period, 91 congestion events were identified with an average duration of 171 minutes and an average maximum length of 1.90 km. No road works or road closures were identified on the road section. The analysis of the delay times of the associated route sections shows the highest travel time delay along Frankfurter Allee between Frankfurter Tor and the intersection Frankfurter Allee/ Möllendorffstraße in the period between 2 pm and 7 pm. Here, the average speed drops to values below 20 km/h and is among the areas with the highest delay in all of Berlin.

The source-destination relationships for this congestion show that the origins for congestion participants are in traffic cells in Berlin Mitte, Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain and Lichtenberg. The busiest routes to the B1/B5 are via Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse, Lichtenberger Strasse, Warschauer Strasse and the streets linked to it such as Boxenhagener Strasse and Grünberger Strasse. Alfredstraße in Lichtenberg is another feeder road for motorized individual traffic. The routes leading away from the congestion run along Petersburger Strasse, Warschauer Strasse and Märkische Allee in the same way as the B1/B5.The destinations of journeys during the congestion period are located in sub-traffic cells east of the Frankfurter Tor. Within Berlin, many destination sub-traffic cells are in Lichtenberg and in the districts along the B1/B5 such as Biesdorf, Kaulsdorf and Mahlsdorf. Of the communities bordering Berlin, the area between Hoppegarten and Strausberg and Ahrensfelde further north are particularly important destinations for road users.

The central alternatives via public transport run for destinations north of the B1 via the U5 and S7. For destinations south of the B1, the S3 is suitable. The S5 can be used for the area along the B1 as well as for the communities east of Berlin.

The second congestion hotspot is on Karl-Marx-Strasse heading northwest from the intersection of Karl-Marx-Strasse/Grenzallee to the intersection of Hasenheide/Lucy-Lameck-Strasse. For the analysis period, 110 congestions were identified with an average duration of 87 minutes and an average maximum length of 2.48 km. Temporally, they occurred in the afternoon between 12 noon and 7 pm with a peak at 4 pm. During the analysis period, there was a lane closure from 02.10.2020 to 09.12.2021 at the Buschkrugallee A113 junction and a construction site from 03.05.2018 to 31.12.2021 on Karl-Marx-Straße northbound from Werbellinstraße to Erkstraße.

The route along Karl-Marx-Strasse forms an important exit for trips via the A100 and A113 and is used for traffic from the communities in the south of Berlin. Here, not only Schönefeld, Königs Wusterhausen and Mittenwalde, but also Potsdam, which is connected via the A100, are sources for motorized individual traffic. Within Berlin, most trips start in Neukölln and along Rudower Strasse or Buschkrugallee in Gropiusstadt and Britz. The primary destinations are in Neukölln as well as Kreuzberg and Alt-Treptow. In addition to the freeways, Buschkrugallee forms an important access road to the congestion area. Departures toward the center of Berlin are primarily via Hasenheide and Kottbusser Damm.

Within Berlin, the U7 is a public transport alternative to motorized private transport via Karl-Marx-Allee. The communities southeast of Berlin are connected to the Berlin S-Bahn ring and the U7 via the S46. In terms of travel times, areas along the U7 or near towns served by S-Bahn stations have comparable travel times to motorized individual transport if public transport provides a direct route between the source and destination areas. Outside of Berlin, in the area of Königs Wusterhausen station, public transport can also have a comparable travel time compared to motorized individual transport.

The third congestion hotspot runs along Schlesische Straße between the start of congestion in Alt-Treptow and the end of congestion at Schlesisches Tor between 12 pm and 19 pm. During the analysis period, 126 congestions with an average maximum duration of 52 minutes and an average maximum length of 2.02 km were recorded. The intersecting Elsenstraße affected the route by narrowing the roadway to one lane, northbound, between 09/28/2020 and 09/12/2021, due to construction work.

The primary destinations for travelers affected by this congestion are along the route in Treptow-Köpenick and the adjacent areas of Kreuzberg East. In addition, many trips are distributed to the areas west of the congestion focus, which includes central Berlin, Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg. Within Berlin, the sources are in Treptow along the B96a and in southern Neukölln. Of the surrounding communities, trips from Potsdam, Königs Wusterhausen and the communities southeast of Berlin along the A10 primarily affect Ludwigsfelde, Rangsdorf and Zossen. Accordingly, the most frequently used routes to the congestion focus lead via the B96b, as well as the A113, Dammweg and Baumschulenstraße. Important routes from the congestion focus run via Köpenicker Straße and Skalitzer Straße in the direction of the city center, as well as Warschauer Straße to the north.

Within Berlin, the public transport system offers good alternatives for the source-destination connections of the congestion participants via the U7 and U8 lines and the S9 and S46 commuter trains. Königs Wusterhausen, Ludwigsfelde, Rangsdorf and Zossen can reach the destination area via local transport. Travel times from the center of Königs Wusterhausen are comparable to those for private motorized transport.

The fourth congestion hotspot is located on Prenzlauer Promenade in the northbound direction starting at the intersection Prenzlauer Allee/Christburgerstraße up to the slip road of the A114. During the analysis period, 114 congestion events were detected with an average maximum duration of 51 minutes and an average maximum length of 2.15 km. The congestion events take place in the afternoon between 12 and 7 pm, with a peak at commute time between 3 and 5 pm. During the analysis period, construction work took place, causing a lane narrowing to one lane on Prenzlauer Promenade between Tiniusstraße and the A114 on-ramp.

Within Berlin, the destinations of trips along the congestion area are in partial traffic cells at Prenzlauer Promenade, Weißensee and Pankow. Destinations in Brandenburg include almost all municipalities bordering Berlin to the north. Examples include Mühlenbecker Land, Panketal, Bernau bei Berlin, Wandlitz and Oranienburg. In addition, travelers from more distant cities along the A10, such as Neuruppin or Eberswalde, are also affected by congestion. The starting areas are primarily in the center of Berlin, Prenzlauer Berg, as well as in Pankow and Weißensee. The main access road to the congestion hotspot is Prenzlauer Allee, followed by the crossing Danziger Straße and Ostseestraße. Depending on the destination, traffic flows off via the A114 and subsequently the A10.

Within Berlin, there are public transport diversion routes via the M1 and 50 trams and the S2 and S8 commuter trains. For the communities north of Berlin, Oranienburg and Bernau bei Berlin, there are connections via regional train services and the S-Bahns S1 and S2 with the shortest travel times between 50 and 70 minutes. The more distant destinations along the A10 such as Eberswalde or Neuruppin can be reached via regional and long-distance traffic.

Another congestion hotspot runs along the B1/B5 westbound from the Alt-Mahlsdorf/Hönower Straße intersection to the Frankfurter Allee/Rathausstraße area. Most of the congestion takes place between 6 and 10 a.m., during the morning commuter traffic. A total of 139 traffic jams have been identified during the analysis period, these have an average maximum duration of 43 minutes and an average maximum length of 1.87 km.

The primary destinations of congestion participants are in Marzahn and Lichtenberg, with additional sub-traffic cells in Kreuzberg and central Berlin. The areas with the most starts are in the communities east of Berlin along the B1/B5 and Ahrensfelde. Within the city, many congestion participants start in Kaulsdorf, Mahlsdorf, Biesdorf and partial traffic cells of Lichtenberg that are located along the B1/B5. The main access routes to the congestion focus are via the B1/B5, Märkische Allee and Blumberger Damm. The most frequently used routes away from the congestion hotspot are the further course of the B1/B5, the street Am Tierpark and the Lichtenberger Straße.

The main alternatives via public transport for destinations north of the B1 are the U5 and S7. For destinations south of the B1, the S3 is suitable. The S5 can be used for the area along the B1 as well as for the communities east of Berlin.

This congestion hotspot runs along the B2 southbound from the intersection with Bucher Weg to the turnoff onto Darßer Straße. The associated traffic jams are distributed throughout the day between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.. Thereby, many short congestions occur throughout the day, while longer congestions occur in the early morning between 7 and 9 am. During the analysis period, 124 congestions have been identified on this route with an average maximum duration of 39 minutes and an average maximum length of 2.33 km. No long term construction sites were identified for the analysis period.

The source-destination analysis revealed that most destinations for trips across the congested area are in the communities northeast of Berlin and in northern Hohenschönhausen and Marzahn. The associated starting points within Berlin are in Weißensee and Pankow. The routes to the congestion focus primarily run from the B2 and the Barnim freeway interchange. In addition, there is a flow of traffic from Blankenburg via Blankenburger Pflasterweg and from Wartenberg via Wartenberger Weg. The routes from the traffic jam to the south run via Malchower Allee and subsequently Indira-Ghandi-Straße and Berliner Allee.

Alternative routes for public transport to the northeast of Berlin run via the regional train service and the S-Bahn S8 for Oranienburg, the S2 for Bernau bei Berlin and the S7 for Ahrensfelde.

The congestion hotspot on Treskowallee northbound is between the intersection of Edisonstraße/Siemensstraße and the intersection of Treskowallee/Waldowallee. A total of 63 traffic jams with an average maximum duration of 84 minutes and an average maximum length of 1.95 km were identified during the analysis period. The congestion occurs mainly in the afternoon between 16 and 19.

The congestion hotspot connects the southeast of Berlin with the northeast. Accordingly, the destinations of trips passing through the congestion focus are primarily in Marzahn and Lichtenberg. The associated departures are primarily south of the Spree River in Ludwigsfelde and Schönefeld as well as the districts of Treptow and Lichtenberg. Of the communities bordering Berlin, Königs Wusterhausen and Schönefeld are the main contributors to congestion. The routes to the congestion hotspot run along the B96a and the Südostallee. The traffic crossing the Spree River is distributed over the Stubenrauch Bridge, the Treskow Bridge and the Wilhelm-Spindler Bridge. The Alt Friedrichsfelde/Rhinstraße junction forms the central distribution point for the routes following the traffic jam.

The exact alternative routes via public transport depend on specific source-destination connections. Many connections pass through the Ostkreuz S-Bahn stop, which can be quickly reached from sources within Berlin via the S7, S75 and local trains. Additionally, possible public transportation alternatives exist for communities south of the city via Alexanderplatz or Hauptbahnhof. Routes that start directly at Treskowallee can be reached from Köpenickerstrasse to the northeast of Berlin using the M17 and 27 trams.

A congestion hotspot runs on the B96a in the southeast direction from the traffic circle at Bersarinplatz to Treptower Park/ Puderstraße. Congestion takes place between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. with a peak due to afternoon commuters in the period around 4 p.m.. A total of 78 congestions with an average duration of 82 minutes and an average maximum length of 1.50 km were recorded on this section. Two construction sites influence the peak of congestion. During the analysis period, a closure of the road Am Treptower Park southbound between Puschkinallee and B96a took place. In addition, the B96a in the opposite direction south of the Elsenbrücke was narrowed to one lane from 09/28/2020 to 12/9/2021, due to construction work.

The destinations of trips along the congestion area are in the southeast of the city, especially in the south of Friedrichhain, Treptow and Neukölln. In terms of neighboring communities, many trips end in Potsdam and south and southeast of Berlin, for example, in Schönefeld and Königs Wusterhausen. The associated starting points are in Friedrichshain, eastern Lichtenberg and northern Kreuzberg. The routes to the congestion focus run from the north via Petersburger Strasse and Warschauer Strasse, from the west via Mühlenstrasse and from the east via Hauptstrasse and Markgrafendamm. Many routes originating from the congestion hotspot run via Köpenicker Landstrasse or via Elsenstrasse and the Neukölln interchange onto the A113 and A100 freeways. A route much used by congestion participants is located on Puschkinallee or Schlesische Straße and thus overlaps with congestion hotspot 3.

The extensive tram network in the area of Bersarinplatz offers good connections to both the Stadtbahn and the Ringbahn, thus providing an alternative via public transport.

The congestion hotspot at Mariendorfer Damm runs into the city from U Ullsteinstraße to the intersection between Mehringdamm and Tempelhofer Ufer. The congestion focus is characterized by many short traffic jams distributed throughout the day. Longer traffic jams occur mainly in the morning between 7 and 9 am. A total of 221 traffic jams with an average maximum duration of 25 minutes and an average maximum length of 1.67 km have been identified. Thereby, a lane narrowing existed between Platz der Luftbrücke and Fidicinstraße on the route between 07/30/2021 and 12/09/2021.

The analysis of the source-destination connections of the trips via the congestion center shows that within Berlin many starting points are located along the congestion center in Mariendorf and Tempelhof. Outside the city, many starting points are in Teltow, Potsdam, Blankenfelde-Mahlow and Schönefeld. The destinations of the trips are primarily found in the districts of Tempelhof, Kreuzberg and the center of Berlin. The routes taken to the traffic jam are primarily via the B96, the A113 and A100. The exits run via Columbiadamm and along the Landwehr Canal via Tempelhofer Ufer and Hallesche Ufer. For destinations in downtown Berlin, much-used sections of the route are on Wilhelmstrasse and Lindenstrasse. 

Starting points within Berlin are connected to the city center by a well-developed public transportation system. From Alt-Mariendorf, there is a direct connection to the target areas of the analysis along the B96 via the U6. The communities south of Berlin have a direct connection via the S2 for Blankenfelde-Mahlow and the S25 or S26 for Teltow. These additionally cover areas with many starting points in Marienfelde and Tempelhof.

This congestion hotspot runs along Landsberger Allee in an easterly direction between the intersections with Storkower Straße and Siegfriedstraße. During the analysis period, a total of 84 traffic jams with an average maximum duration of 60 minutes and an average length of 1.56 km were identified. The congestion takes place mainly in the afternoon between 15:00 and 20:00 and has been favored by a lane narrowing in the direction of travel between Zechliner Straße and Arendsweg to one lane between 06.12.2021 and 09.12.2021. During the construction work, the congestion time is greatly increased, so that it starts in the period from 06.12.2021 to 13.12.2021 already at 10 am.

The starting points of trips via the congestion center are in Friedrichshain, Lichtenberg, the center of Berlin and the north of Prenzlauer Berg. The destinations in the south Hohenschönhausen, Lichtenberg North and in the northeast of the city in Marzahn and Hellersdorf. Outside the city limits, the communities to the northeast of Berlin are the destinations of congestion participants with many trips to Ahrensfelde, Hoppegarten, Altlandsberg and Neuenhagen bei Berlin. The routes to the traffic jam lead via Storkower Strasse, the south of Landsberger Allee and in the center of Berlin via Mollstrasse and Grunerstrasse. The exits from the congestion center run primarily via Landsberger Allee in a northeasterly direction. 

Public transport alternatives exist through a variety of tram routes for the source-destination connections between the center of Berlin, Lichtenberg and Hohenschönhausen, Marzahn or Hellersdorf. The neighboring communities that lie directly east of the city limits can be reached via the S5.