Anticipates heavy traffic congestion during Ascension Day weekend, according to ADAC. - Anticipated Road Congestion During Ascension Weekend, According to ADAC
Brace for Congested Roads over Ascension Weekend in North Rhine-Westphalia
North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, will experience heavy traffic and extended congestion during the upcoming long Ascension weekend, according to the Automobile Club (ADAC). In 2021, the day before Ascension marked one of the ten most congested days of the year with 779 congestion hours.
The forecasted traffic is due to numerous construction sites and a high number of short vacationers taking to the roads. Furthermore, while North Rhine-Westphalia does not observe an official holiday on Friday, many schools in the region have movable holidays, which could add to the number of people on the roads. Additionally, in many other federal states, the bridge day is a public holiday, increasing the likelihood of families going on short vacations.
Approximately 700 construction sites in North Rhine-Westphalia may result in lengthy wait times. Roman Suthold, head of the traffic and environment department at ADAC Nordrhein, states, "Areas with reduced lanes have a high risk of congestion." He predicts that the highways surrounding Cologne and the Ruhr region will be significantly overloaded due to high traffic volume and the numerous construction sites.
The ADAC expects the peak traffic on Wednesday between 1 PM and 7 PM, as both commuters and vacationers will be on the roads simultaneously. Those leaving in the evening or on Thursday are likely to reach their destination faster and more comfortably.
On Sunday afternoon, the return traffic will cause traffic to build up again, although Suthold expects fewer congestion hours compared to the beginning of the long weekend.
It's worth noting that avoiding highway congestion via country roads often doesn't provide an advantage, as alternative routes may become congested as well. ADAC suggests getting off the highway only for congestion of more than ten kilometers or in the event of a full closure.
When planning travel during the Ascension weekend, it's essential to do so ahead of time, check road conditions, be prepared to take detours if necessary, avoid peak hours when possible, utilize technology like traffic apps for real-time updates, and combine activities to reduce the need for multiple trips. Furthermore, it's important to be flexible and prepared for changes due to weather conditions or unexpected events.
- To ensure a smoother journey during Ascension weekend, it would be advisable for employees to review the community policy regarding flexible work hours or remote work, as avoiding peak traffic hours could significantly improve their travel experience.
- While planning a lifestyle change that involves relocation or travel during the Ascension weekend, potential job seekers might want to consider reviewing the employment policies of various companies to ensure they have provisions for unforeseen travel-related delays or absences.
