Initially, the Mairie de Paris had had the firm intention of introducing a limited traffic zone in central Paris as early as the second half of 2022. After announcing a postponement until 2024, it is finally after the Paris 2024 Olympics that it should see the light of day, Paris City Hall announced today in a press release.
As a reminder, France was condemned by the Court of Justice of the European Union back in 2019 for failing to comply with air quality standards. Faced with these environmental challenges, the ZTL appears to be a concrete response to limiting transit traffic and promoting more sustainable modes of transport in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th arrondissements of Paris. However, discussions concerning the inclusion of the Îles and Quais hauts rive droite in the ZTL perimeter are still underway with the Préfecture de police.
The final decision on the perimeter rests with the Préfecture de Police, which has the authority to impose restrictions. However, the aim is to work together to reduce pollution. The Zone à Trafic Limité (ZTL) is one of the solutions being considered, along the lines of the traffic modifications already implemented in the Marais district. Similar changes in the Louvre-Opéra area, in consultation with the Préfecture de Police, are already in the pipeline. These changes include the creation of bus-only lanes and pedestrianization, among other measures.
The aim of this zone is to reduce motorized traffic, thereby improving road safety and air quality. It also aims to promote a better distribution of public space between pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users.
According to impact studies, the introduction of the ZTL should lead to a significant reduction in traffic in central Paris, with positive effects expected on pollution and noise. Major arteries such as Avenue de l'Opéra are expected to see a significant reduction in traffic.
Future stages of the project include the presentation of the impact study at the end of 2023 and a public inquiry scheduled for spring 2024. Official implementation of the ZTL is scheduled for autumn 2024, after the close of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
This postponement reflects a measured approach on the part of the City of Paris, which is seeking to balance environmental imperatives with the logistical needs associated with the organization of a major event such as the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The implementation of the Zone à Trafic Limité thus represents an important milestone in the capital's urban mobility strategy, underlining its commitment to a more sustainable and healthier urban environment.
In concrete terms, how will it work to ban through traffic? A system of signs and controls is planned. Checks will be carried out at the exit of the zone, with an initial approach focusing on education. Thereafter, it will be necessary to justify one's status as a local resident, for example via a resident's card already in some people's possession, or to prove one belongs to exempt categories, such as delivery drivers or shopkeepers. In the long term, video tagging could be implemented.
