Road Transport Hall

Overview

Step into the fascinating world of road transport at the Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne, Switzerland. The Road Transport Hall, a distinctive edifice, immediately captures attention with its unique facade adorned with 344 genuine Swiss road signs. This architectural marvel, designed by Gigon/Guyer, houses a comprehensive collection charting the evolution of mobility on wheels, from early bicycles to modern automobiles.

Inside, visitors embark on an interactive journey through two floors of exhibition space, where historic and contemporary vehicles with two, three, or four wheels are showcased. A central highlight is the impressive high-rise rack, a display warehouse housing over 80 vehicles, which a robotic system can individually present for closer inspection. The hall is designed to engage all senses, offering both informative displays and hands-on experiences, making the history and future of road travel accessible and exciting for all ages.

History & Cultural Background

The Swiss Museum of Transport, or Verkehrshaus der Schweiz, opened its doors in July 1959, quickly becoming Switzerland's most popular museum. Its mission was to collect and preserve significant technology, vehicles, and objects related to Swiss transport history. The Road Transport Hall underwent a significant renovation and redesign, with the new building by Gigon/Guyer Architekten winning a competition in 1999 and being completed in phases between 2005 and 2009. This modernization aimed to create a more flexible and engaging exhibition space. The façade, a striking feature composed of recycled sheet-metal traffic signs, was a deliberate design choice, indirectly referencing the freedom and regulation of private transport.

A notable addition to the hall's collection came after the closure of the Monteverdi Museum in Binningen in 2016, with many of the luxurious Monteverdi vehicles, representing a unique chapter in Swiss automotive engineering, finding their new home here. This integration further cemented the hall's role in showcasing Switzerland's contribution to automotive history and design.

What Makes It Special

The Road Transport Hall stands out due to its innovative and interactive approach to exhibition. The automated parking system, where a robot retrieves selected cars from a multi-level rack, offers a dynamic viewing experience, unlike traditional static displays. Beyond historical vehicles, the hall delves into crucial aspects of road safety with dedicated crash test exhibits, allowing visitors to experience a bruise-free collision.

For those with a passion for mechanics, a visible car workshop provides a unique behind-the-scenes look at how classic vehicles are restored and maintained, connecting visitors with the skilled craftsmanship involved. Furthermore, the 'Formula 1 Box' provides an exhilarating simulation, letting visitors experience a car race from the driver's perspective, complete with the pulsing sound of a driver's heartbeat. Interactive 'islands' explore themes like mobility and road traffic information, utilizing glass projections and four-meter-high 'tubes' for immersive future transport scenarios.

Stories, Fun Facts & Local Details

One of the most striking details of the Road Transport Hall is its exterior – a mosaic of 344 actual Swiss road signs. This creative architectural choice not only forms a visually arresting facade but also playfully emphasizes the hall's theme. Another fascinating aspect is the presence of the Monteverdi collection. Monteverdi was a luxury car manufacturer from Switzerland, and its inclusion highlights a lesser-known but significant part of Swiss industrial heritage. The museum is one of the few places where this exclusive collection is on public display, showcasing Swiss innovation in high-performance and luxury vehicles.

The museum continually refreshes its offerings, with special exhibitions like the 'World of Racing' and '100 Years of Ducati' further enriching the visitor experience, connecting historical narrative with contemporary automotive culture and motorsport. The interactive elements, such as challenging friends to a pit stop competition in the F1 racing area, add a layer of playful engagement, encouraging visitors to actively participate rather than passively observe.

Visitor Perspective

Visiting the Road Transport Hall is an engaging experience for curious travelers of all ages. The interactive nature of the exhibits means there is always something to touch, try, or operate, transforming a typical museum visit into an adventure. From the moment you approach the building adorned with countless road signs, you know you're in for something unique. Inside, the sheer variety of vehicles, from classic cars like Rolls Royce and Porsche to early bicycles, caters to diverse interests. The clever use of technology, such as the car-retrieving robot and the immersive Formula 1 simulator, ensures that the displays are not just historical artifacts but dynamic storytelling tools.

Whether you're an automotive enthusiast keen to see a Monteverdi up close, a family looking for interactive fun with crash tests and racing simulations, or simply a traveler interested in the evolution of human mobility, the Road Transport Hall offers a memorable and educational journey through the history and future of road transport. It's a place where learning feels like play, and the story of movement unfolds before your eyes in a truly Swiss, innovative style.