Results of a study from the United Kingdom (UK) show an average 47% decrease in traffic volumes within low-traffic neighborhoods (LTNs) and a 1.6% decrease on the surrounding roads, suggesting that car-restricted areas effectively cut traffic without pushing it onto nearby streets.

Researchers analyzed the impact that designated car-free streets have on traffic in the surrounding neighborhoods of London. The authors suggest some additional work may be needed to understand and address the needs of people with disabilities who sometimes rely on vehicle access.

In a blog post, the State Smart Transportation Initiative (SSTI) cites several examples of permanent car-free streets in the United States, as well as studies on the impact of LTNs.