Integral fitting design

The N50 is perceived as traffic unsafe here because there is only one lane per direction and no physical lane separation. The changing road layout of the N50 further increases the road safety risk. The N50 will be widened to 2×2 lanes which will greatly improve traffic safety as well as traffic flow on the road section.

According to project leader Willem van der Marel, the best possible solution was devised to achieve the project goals while minimizing the impact on the environment. "We made the designs and in cooperation with Tauw determined the environmental and traffic safety effects, as well as mitigating measures. We then drew up the Integral Inclusive Design (IIO) that incorporates these measures, including two-layer ZOAB and noise barriers. Based on the IIO, the cost estimate was prepared, which included all anticipated risks."

The starting point was Rijkswaterstaat's functional design, which was developed through an elementary design to a fitting design. The impact studies were carried out on the basis of that design. "Our strength lies in being able to switch quickly between the functional requirements and wishes and their technical elaboration. This allows us to respond well to new insights that arise during a project. With the N50, traffic safety and noise led to a number of scope changes in the design." Van der Marel looks back on an interesting process. "We experienced the cooperation with Rijkswaterstaat and Tauw, which was responsible for drafting the planning study, as very pleasant. We were also able to show our strength by completing the design for the impact studies on time. Rijkswaterstaat's deadline for the planning study itself was also tight. Nevertheless, we were able to deliver on schedule. That cannot be taken for granted with such an extensive process."