An analysis of the data of the Provincial Institute for Statistics ASTAT for the years 2002- 2019 shows that traffic growth in South Tyrol was significantly driven by the growth of the population, the economic development and the growing number of employments. There is a linear growth on the major traffic axes, such as the MEBO or the road in Pustertal – Val Pusteria, with annual increases of 1% - 2%over 20 years in November, a month with virtually no tourism. For example, the road in Pustertal – Val Pusteria shows a growth of over 40% at St. Lorenzen – San Lorenzo di Sebato and Bruneck – Brunico East, and of over 20% at Vilpian –Vilpiano on the MEBO. In contrast, the share of tourism in the month of August, the month with the peak load, has grown very moderately to not at all in relation to the November base load. The traffic development at tourist hotspots, such as the Sellajoch – Passo Sella, is different. There, the base load in November is at a very low level (approx. 300 vehicles per day) and swells to values of up to more than 6,000 vehicles per day during the peak season,including up to 1,400 motorbikes. This shows that the assessment of the contribution of tourism to traffic volume and traffic growth must be viewed in a differentiated manner. However it is very alarming, that according to a linear extrapolation of the traffic development of the last twenty years, in2030, peak traffic loads that currently can be observed during August (main tourist season), will then occur in November, i.e. the month with little to no tourism. Thus, a solution for this problem cannot only come from the tourist sector. Rather, the locals must also contribute significantly to reducing their traffic volume in order to avoid a perpetual collapse of the road transport system.

The details of the analyses of the data of the State Institute for Statistics can be found here.