What Switzerland is considering
The Swiss authorities are weighing a bold plan to curb peak-hour congestion by lowering speeds on the busiest motorways. The proposal would restrict the maximum speed from 120 km/h to 80 km/h on the most saturated stretches during rush hours, using electronic variable speed limits. If implemented, the plan would apply to roughly half of the national motorway network.
How it would work
Today, electronic speed-limit boards are installed on about 1,015 kilometers of the motorway network, roughly 500 km in each direction. Under the new plan, the network would be expanded to around 2,200 kilometers in the direction of travel, bringing the share of the network equipped with variable limits to about half. The Swiss road network totals 2,254.5 kilometers, or around 4,500 direction kilometers; with the expansion, about 50 percent of routes could carry dynamic signs.
The idea relies on real-time traffic data; boards would switch between 120 km/h and 80 km/h depending on congestion. In practice, that means during peak periods on the busiest sections, speeds could be capped at 80 km/h, while quieter stretches would remain at the faster limit when traffic allows.
Operational details
Implementation would hinge on accurate traffic monitoring and reliable communication with drivers. The aim is to smooth the flow, reduce stop-and-go waves, and possibly shorten overall travel times by preventing bottlenecks from forming. Doubling the number of kilometers with variable limits would also help authorities test different configurations and respond more nimbly to evolving conditions.
Why now? The pressures of congestion
Blick reports that in 2024 motorists spent nearly 55,500 hours stuck in traffic—a new record. More broadly, the time spent in jams on Swiss roads has doubled since 2019. The main culprit is overload on the road network, and officials are banking on smarter speed management to improve reliability on major corridors.
Reactions from policymakers
Supporters say targeted reductions can raise average speeds and reduce congestion on the signaled portions of the network. An Office fédéral des routes (Ofrou) spokesman told Blick that deployment could extend to about 2,200 kilometers in the direction of travel in the coming years, equating to roughly half of the network. Critics warn that such measures could be costly, complex to enforce, and unpopular with drivers.
Rémy Wyssmann, a national councillor with the Swiss People’s Party (UDC), criticized the plan as a potentially cynical maneuver that simply relocates the problem. He points to the total network length of about 2,254.5 kilometers and the 4,500-direction-kilometer figure, arguing a broad roll-out would be politically and logistically challenging.
What this means for travelers
For motorists, the proposal could mean more variable-speed zones, stricter enforcement, and the possibility of fluctuating travel times as boards adjust to traffic. Proponents argue the approach is flexible and data-driven; opponents worry about enforcement costs, driver confusion, and the risk of over- or under-implementation in different regions.
The road ahead
As Switzerland weighs the trade-offs, the central question remains whether slower speeds during peak traffic can translate into faster, more reliable journeys overall. If pursued, the plan would depend on precise timing, integrated traffic data, and clear communication to keep road users informed. The coming years will reveal whether this bold tactic improves mobility on the Alpine nation’s highways.
