Background
Szombathely’s Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) was completed in 2022. The plan was based on a comprehensive situation assessment, transportation surveys, and traffic modelling, and it defined a long-term vision as well as the measures and projects to be implemented.
The revision of the SUMP was primarily motivated by the development needs that have arisen since then and the need to integrate new projects. During the review, we therefore examined the changes that have occurred since 2022, the current mobility situation in the city and its surrounding area, and the implementation of the interventions included in the previous SUMP.
Synagogue in Szombathely with the roundabout
Revision of the SUMP
As part of this work, we assessed the current transportation system of the city and its Functional Urban Area, reviewed the relevant European Union, national, county, and municipal strategic documents, and then, based on the issues identified, revised the SUMP’s objectives, measures, and projects.
Car use and suburban commuting continue to play a dominant role in Szombathely’s mobility, while the share of bicycle traffic in the city is favourable by national standards. Transportation challenges are influenced by an incomplete and, in some places, poorly maintained network, parking problems, traffic congestion, level crossings of railways, and strong commuter links between the city and its surrounding area. At the same time, the revitalized local bus service, the prevalence of cycling, and the potential of rail transportation provide an important foundation for the development of more sustainable mobility.
The revision continued to regard the previous SUMP’s set of objectives as guiding principles and based on the new situation assessment, organized the interventions around four transportation strategy objectives:
• strengthening comprehensive urban mobility capabilities,
• significantly improved traffic safety,
• modern, high-quality transportation infrastructure,
• competitive sustainable modes of transportation.
Thirteen measures and 73 projects were identified in connection with these objectives. Project proposals were evaluated and prioritized through a multi-criteria assessment based on costs, expected benefits, and feasibility, and then categorized into implementation phases. As a result of the review, not only was the project list updated, but the foundations were also laid for the action and implementation plan, as well as the monitoring, financing, and risk management frameworks.
"Look around" campaign
Stakeholder engagement was also an important part of the planning process. We received 732 valid responses to the online survey, and we also held a forum for major employers and transport professionals, as well as focus group discussions. We also involved the municipalities in Szombathely’s functional urban area in the partnership process, as the city’s transportation system is significantly influenced by the travel habits of commuters from surrounding municipalities.
Bicycle rack
The goal of the revised SUMP is to organize Szombathely’s transportation developments for the coming years within a coherent, sustainable, and feasible framework, while also establishing the priorities for future transportation investments and interventions.
Client: City of Szombathely
Years of fulfilment: 2025-2026