What does this new diamond-shaped road sign on the Bordeaux road mean?

Le Figaro Bordeaux

A bright white diamond, or white on a blue background, should gradually appear on many roads in France. It is starting to appear in Gironde, such as on the road between Lacanau and Bordeaux. This new road sign indicates that a lane is reserved for carpooling and public transport, as well as taxis and the least polluting vehicles, particularly electric ones. A measure resulting from the 2019 mobility orientation law, which aims in particular to accelerate the growth of new forms of mobility by moving away from car dependency.

This logo – called a diamond or macle – standardizes practices for creating reserved lanes in France. In Gironde, it will be used to signage several reserved lanes, built or under construction, along departmental roads 106, 113 and 936. Projects also supported by the metropolis, which has set up a reserved lane on Avenue Marcel Dassault in Mérignac, after an experiment. Bordeaux Métropole reminds us that carpooling is “an eco-responsible approach, with fewer traffic jams, savings for passengers and advantages for drivers”.

Eliminate traffic jams on the ring road

The department has set itself the objective of increasing carpooling by almost 50% in three years. “With an average rate of 1.2 people per vehicle in the Bordeaux metropolitan area, there is significant room for maneuver”the community believes. A practice which, if it develops, could significantly reduce traffic jams. “The Gironde has the densest road network in France”recalls the department. “On the ring road, heavy goods vehicles only represent 7% of traffic. On the other hand, 80% of motorists drive alone to get to work. It would therefore be enough for one in five drivers to carpool to eliminate traffic jams on the ring road. the Bordeaux ring road during rush hour.”

This initiative is not just in Gironde. This system has been set up on part of the A48 at the entrance to Grenoble and also in Lyon, where when the macle appears on the M6/M7 urban boulevards, the left lane is then dedicated to vehicles with at least two people on board, as well as to public transport and electric vehicles. The diamond is turned off at the weekend, allowing all drivers to use this lane. The challenge now is to be able to verify that these regulations are respected, in particular by installing thermal radars, to fine offenders who use these reserved lanes without carpooling.