Traffic

Increased traffic in Svalbard, both motorised and non-motorised, may have negative impacts on the soil, plant cover, animal life and cultural heritage sites. Motorised traffic also disturbs other people who wish to experience solitude and peace and quiet. Monitoring the scale of the ongoing traffic provides useful information for the management authorities.

Influence Traffic

Cruise tourism

Cruise tourism in Svalbard has increased considerably in the last 10–15 years. It may have negative effects on the environment and cultural heritage.

Influence Traffic

Individual travelers

The traffic has a potential for having negative effects on birds, mammals and cultural heritage sites. The majority of individual travelers behave properly, but there are exceptions. The time…

Influence Traffic

Overnight stays in Longyearbyen

The number of overnight stays in public accommodation in Longyearbyen in the course of a year gives an indication of the influx of tourists and other visitors to Longyearbyen and its vicinity…

Influence Traffic

Helicopter landings in protected areas

Travelling by helicopter and aircraft is an important part of getting about in Svalbard. Besides the air routes from the mainland to Longyearbyen and between the various settlements, most travel by…

Influence Traffic

The number of registered snowmobiles

The number of snowmobiles registered in Svalbard is monitored because the figure is thought to correlate with the amount of traffic outside the settlements and thus with the potential for…