Pilot project for a "narrow central lane" on Schaanerstrasse in Vaduz

Starting in May 2026, the municipality of Vaduz will conduct a pilot project on Schaanerstrasse featuring a so-called narrow central lane. The goal is to improve traffic safety and enable the equitable use of the existing road space for all road users.

Improving the Traffic Situation

Schaanerstrasse is a major collector road with a speed limit of 50 km/h (30 km/h in the area around the swimming pool) and is heavily used by both motorized traffic and pedestrians and cyclists.

Due to the varying usage demands as well as current and anticipated future traffic volumes, the traffic situation is to be improved. The pilot project aims in particular to:

• to increase objective and subjective safety for cyclists
• to improve the visibility of the designated lane
• to ensure compatible traffic flow between motorized traffic and pedestrians and cyclists

Implementation of the narrow central lane

As part of the pilot project, the existing approximately six-meter-wide roadway will be repainted. Bike lanes, each 1.50 meters wide, will be marked on both sides. In the center, a roughly three-meter-wide central lane will remain for motorized traffic.

A key feature of this traffic layout is the absence of a traditional center line. Instead, drivers use the bicycle lane markings on the sides to navigate.

How it works in traffic

The new design creates a visual narrowing of the roadway. This encourages adapted driving behavior: drivers generally drive more slowly and attentively, and cooperative behavior when encountering other traffic is promoted.

When encountering oncoming traffic, vehicles may cross the broken line of the bike lanes provided that cyclists are not obstructed. The bike lanes are generally reserved for bicycle traffic and must be used by cyclists. Parking on the bike lanes is not permitted.

The total width of the roadway remains unchanged, so that vehicles can still pass each other.

Pilot Project and Monitoring

Since the narrow central roadway in Liechtenstein represents a new solution, implementation is taking place as part of a pilot project. This will be conducted from May through fall 2026 and will be supported by technical experts.

To assess the impact, traffic surveys, observations of driving behavior, and road safety evaluations, among other measures, will be conducted. The results will serve as the basis for further measures.

Section and Implementation

The pilot project covers the section of Schaanerstrasse between Marianumstrasse and Lochgass. The existing traffic signals will largely remain in place and will be adjusted in specific areas. In addition, information signs will be installed on-site to inform road users about the new traffic routing.

Advantages of the measure

The narrow central roadway offers several advantages:

• Improved safety and visibility for cyclists and pedestrians
• Promotion of considerate and attentive driving behavior
• Efficient use of existing road space without structural modifications
• Cost-effective and flexibly adaptable solution

Through this pilot project, the municipality of Vaduz is gathering important insights for the future design of street spaces and the further development of safe and sustainable mobility.