Friends of the Earth Birmingham Action Briefing Feb 98/Mar 98

Closing Roads Cuts Traffic?

A report due out in February that was commissioned by London Transport and the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions suggests that the computer models used by urban transport planners give the wrong answers. These models assume that closing one road moves traffic elsewhere- not so says the report. A study of 60 cases worldwide showed that where roads had been closed or their ability to carry traffic significantly reduced, an average of 20% (in some cases up to 60%) of traffic simply evaporated. Users simply changed their travel patterns.

The report proves the logical flip-side of the "building more roads creates more traffic" studies and is expected to call for a radical program of pedestrianisation and expanded public transport.

From New Scientist, 24 January 1998