Genk Involves Community to Improve Road Safety

In 2022, the city of Genk initiated a traffic safety program aimed at enhancing road safety across various types of traffic. This innovative project involved local residents in conducting traffic counts using 50 counting frames, simple tools designed to monitor and quantify traffic flow. The initiative began in the eastern and southern regions of Genk and later expanded to include the northern and western areas, providing valuable data on traffic patterns. The collected data is crucial for city planners, as it offers insights into busy streets and helps identify areas that require safety improvements, particularly in residential neighborhoods. Genk's approach emphasizes the importance of community involvement in addressing local traffic issues, demonstrating the city’s commitment to creating safer road systems. The focus is primarily on smaller roads and residential areas, which are often in need of enhanced safety measures. With the information gathered, Genk aims to implement strategies to reduce traffic speed, including temporary solutions in high-traffic zones. Notably, the area surrounding De Bret primary school remains congested, prompting the city to explore further interventions despite previous efforts to convert nearby streets into bicycle-friendly routes. Looking ahead, Genk plans to continue utilizing the counting frames in the next legislative period, although decisions regarding their specific locations are yet to be made. This ongoing initiative reflects Genk's dedication to improving road safety while actively engaging its residents in the process.