Zaragoza completes the intervention to improve safety at the Romareda tram crossing
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
The ELABORATOR Lighthouse City of Zaragoza reached an important milestone: the implementation of Intervention 3: Traffic management around Miguel Servet Hospital has now been completed.
The intervention focused on improving road safety and traffic management around Miguel Servet University Hospital, one of Zaragoza's busiest mobility hubs. Every day, the area accommodates large numbers of pedestrians, including hospital patients, healthcare workers, elderly residents, schoolchildren, and visitors, making it one of the city's most complex locations from a mobility and safety perspective. A key priority of the intervention was addressing safety at the tram crossing adjacent to the Romareda tram stop, where several serious accidents have occurred in recent years.
A safer crossing for pedestrians
The newly completed crossing introduces a significantly different layout aimed at encouraging safer pedestrian behaviour.
Instead of crossing directly from one side of the tracks to the other, pedestrians are now guided along a three-segment route by newly installed barriers. This staggered alignment encourages users to slow down, improves visibility of approaching trams, and reduces the likelihood of unsafe crossings.
To further enhance safety, the redesigned crossing incorporates acoustic and luminous warning systems that alert pedestrians to approaching trams. These features are particularly important for vulnerable users, including older people, hospital patients, and people with visual impairments.
A unique solution for a unique location
The redesigned crossing is currently the only one of its kind in Zaragoza. According to the city authorities, the combination of exceptionally high pedestrian volumes and the presence of vulnerable road users made this location particularly suitable for a tailored safety intervention.
The Mayor of Zaragoza has described the project as one of the flagship measures included in the city's Municipal Road Safety Plan. Alongside the new crossing design, complementary measures such as acoustic tram warnings and reduced tram speeds through the area contribute to creating a safer environment for everyone using the space.
From pilot to implementation
Within ELABORATOR, Zaragoza has been exploring innovative approaches to redesigning urban spaces through data-driven planning, co-creation, and targeted interventions that respond to local mobility challenges.
The completion of Intervention 3 represents the successful implementation of one of the project's flagship actions, demonstrating how relatively simple infrastructure adaptations, informed by local needs and evidence, can improve safety in complex urban environments.
As ELABORATOR moves towards its final stages, the experience from Zaragoza provides valuable lessons for other European cities seeking to create safer, more inclusive public spaces while balancing the needs of pedestrians, public transport, and other road users.
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