7.0 Vehicle Use Limitations and Restrictions

Programs to limit or restrict vehicle use in downtown areas or other areas of emission concentration particularly during periods of peak use.
Section 108 (vii), CAAA

Introduction

Vehicle use limitations/restrictions are techniques for restricting the use of certain types of vehicles in a given geographic area or specified time period.

Main Components

There are three major categories of vehicle use restrictions:

• No-drive days

• Control of truck movements, and

• Truck Lane Restrictions

Other Considerations

Although pedestrian and transit malls have been created in many downtown areas in the United States and auto-restricted zones have been used in Europe and Asia, vehicle use limitations and restrictions are still a potentially debatable technique for a local government or agency to implement. All these program types should accommodate the needs of commercial interests requiring accessibility by customers/clients for goods delivery in designated areas. Clear and careful consideration of an area’s economic strengths and weaknesses should be made before restricting vehicle use. Regardless of the final policy, alternative means of providing access to, and circulation within, the area affected by the program should be developed.