Paris mairie publishes first results from ring road speed drop to 50 km/h
The results are cautiously positive, after the speed drop was only introduced this month
The first report saw positive results for noise and air pollution, traffic, and accidents
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The Paris mairie has published its first conclusions after dropping the ring road (périphérique) speed limit to 50 km/h on October 10, including results on air and noise pollution, traffic, and accidents.
The limit was reduced from 70 km/h after a test period from October 1 on a section of road from Porte des Lilas and Porte d’Orléans.
Read also: Speed cameras effective from today to enforce new Paris ring road limit
The Ville de Paris said its aims were to reduce traffic noise pollution and air pollution for residents who live close to the ring road, to improve circulation, and boost road safety.
It has now said that the move has been successful, in its first ‘bulletin du périphérique’ report.
The report provides updates on five indicators for “transparency” and “raising awareness”, the mairie said. These are: noise, air pollution, traffic speed, traffic jams and accidents.
Early results are promising
To ascertain the effect of the speed reduction to 50 km/h, the mairie has compared the latest data with that collected at the same time last year (2023).
The first bulletin presents the figures from September 30 to October 4. Yet, because the new speed limit only came into force on October 1 for one section of road, and October 10 for the rest, the results are being considered with caution.
They do appear to show promising early results, however, including:
Noise pollution: A reduction of 2.6 decibels at night, as calculated by noise monitoring agency Bruitparif
Air pollution: A reduction in concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and fine particles, said air pollution monitoring agency Airparif
Traffic speed: An average of 37.3 km/h during the day, down from 55.1 km/h last year
Traffic jams: A reduction of 37%
Accidents: A reduction of 68%
Future bulletins du périphérique will show a clearer picture, after the measure has been in force for longer.
Read also: Paris ring road: region to oppose October speed cut to 50 km/h
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The measure was controversial, with the Ile-de-France regional president Valérie Pécresse having called on the mairie to abandon the change in favour of other policies - such as resurfacing the road - that she said would have a better impact.
